投稿者: kanako

Stop Saying ‘おぼえません’ Learn the Right Expression for ‘I Can’t Recall’
There are several words in Japanese that convey the meaning of “remember,” each with subtle differences in nuance. Choosing the right word depends on the context, such as whether you are talking about memorizing something, recalling something from memory, or having a memory already in your mind. Here, we will look at key verbs related to “remember” in Japanese and provide translations with example sentences.

覚える (おぼえる) – To memorize / To remember

覚える(おぼえる) is commonly used when you actively try to learn and retain information. It can also mean that you remember something that you have learned or experienced.

Example:
1. この数字を覚えてください。
  (このすうじをおぼえてください。)
  ー “Please remember this number.”
  Explanation: This is a polite request for someone to memorize or remember a piece of information. In this context, 覚える(おぼえる) suggests the act of intentionally committing something to memory.
2. 平仮名とカタカナを全部覚えました。
  (ひらがなとかたかなをぜんぶおぼえました。)
  ー “I have memorized all the hiragana and katakana.”
  Explanation: The past tense 覚えました shows that the speaker has successfully learned and retained all the hiragana and katakana. 覚える(おぼえる) fits here since the speaker is referring to memorization.
3. 今年は漢字を２００個覚えたいです。
  (ことしはかんじをにひゃっこおぼえたいです。)
  ー “I want to memorize 200 kanji characters this year.”
  Explanation: This sentence uses 覚える(おぼえる) to express the goal of memorizing kanji characters. The verb 覚える is appropriate because it refers to committing information (like kanji) to memory.
記憶する (きおくする) – To remember / To store in memory (formal)

記憶する(きおくする) is a more formal word and is often used to describe the process of storing information in your brain, almost like the way a computer stores data. It appears in contexts related to education or specific events you need to recall.

Example:
1. この１０枚のカードを１分で全て記憶してください。
  (このじゅうまいのカードをいっぷんですべてきおくしてください。)
  ー “Please memorize all ten of these cards within one minute.”
  Explanation: The verb 記憶する(きおくする) suggests an intentional act of memorization, typically used in formal or academic situations. It focuses on the process of storing the information.
2. もし本を丸々１冊記憶できるとしたら、何の本を選ぶ？
  (もしほんをまるまるいっさつきおくできるとしたら、なんのほんをえらぶ？)
  ー “If you could memorize an entire book, which one would you choose?”
  Explanation: 記憶する(きおくする) emphasizes the act of committing the entire content of a book to memory, implying thorough and complete memorization. It gives a slightly formal tone.
3. これから言う単語を７つ、記憶してください。
  (これからいうたんごをななつ、きおくしてください。)
  ー “Please memorize the seven words I’m about to say.”
  Explanation: 記憶する(きおくする) is used to emphasize the need for deliberate memorization, focusing on remembering these words accurately and precisely.
暗記する (あんきする) – To memorize intentionally

暗記する(あんきする) emphasizes learning something by heart. This verb is often used when you need to learn something exactly, such as vocabulary words, numbers, or speeches.

Example:
1. 毎日新しい単語を１０個暗記しています。
  (まいにちあたらしいたんごをじゅっこあんきしています。)
  ー “I memorize ten new words every day.”
  Explanation: 暗記する(あんきする) is typically used when referring to deliberate and disciplined memorization, such as when studying for exams. It’s about committing something fully to memory through repetition.
2. 暗記するためにAnkiっていうフラッシュカードアプリを使っています。
  (あんきするために Anki っていうフラッシュカードアプリをつかっています。)
  ー “I use a flashcard app called Anki to memorize things.”
  Explanation: 暗記する(あんきする) is used because the speaker is talking about intentional memorization with the help of an app. This verb suggests deliberate, focused learning.
覚えている (おぼえている) – To still remember / To have in memory

State of being て form + いる : 覚えている(おぼえている) is used when you have already memorized something or still remember it.

Example:
1. 彼の電話番号ですか？はい。覚えていますよ。
  (かれのでんわばんごうですか？はい。おぼえていますよ。)
  ー “His phone number? Yes, I still remember it.”
  Explanation: Here, 覚えている(おぼえている) indicates that the speaker has previously memorized the information and still remembers it now.
2. 私のこと覚えていますか？同じ中学でしたよね？
  (わたしのことおぼえていますか？おなじちゅうがくでしたよね？)
  ー “Do you remember me? We went to the same junior high, right?”
  Explanation: 覚えています(おぼえています) is used to ask if someone still remembers the speaker, suggesting that the memory should still be present in the listener’s mind.
3. ほら、あのドラマの子役でデビューした子だよ！覚えてない？
  (ほら、あのドラマのこやくでデビューしたこだよ！おぼえてない？)
  ー “Come on, it’s the kid who debuted as a child actor in that drama! Don’t you remember?”
  Explanation: Negative form , 覚えてない(おぼえてない) implies that the speaker expects the listener to remember, but they currently do not.
4. 私の誕生日、覚えていてくれたの？ありがとう！
  (わたしのたんじょうび、おぼえていてくれたの？ありがとう！)
  ー “You remembered my birthday? Thank you!”
  Explanation: 覚えていてくれた(おぼえていてくれた) indicates not only that the listener remembered the birthday but also expresses gratitude for the fact that they kept it in mind.
5. 週末一緒に出かけようって約束したの、覚えてないの？
  (しゅうまついっしょにでかけようってやくそくしたの、おぼえてないの？)
  ー “Don’t you remember? We promised to go out together this weekend.”
  Explanation: Here, 覚えてない(おぼえてない) asks if the listener has forgotten about a past promise. It implies the memory should be retained but isn’t.
6. え？レシピ見なくても作れるの？全部覚えてるの？
  (え？レシピみなくてもつくれるの？ぜんぶおぼえてるの？)
  ー “Huh? You can cook it without checking the recipe? You remember everything?”
  Explanation: 覚えてる(おぼえてる) asks if the listener has all the necessary steps memorized to cook without a recipe.
7. あの日のことは昨日のことのように覚えています。
  (あのひのことはきのうのことのようにおぼえています。)
  ー “I remember that day as if it were yesterday.”
  Explanation: The phrase 昨日のことのように覚えています(きのうのことのようにおぼえています) expresses a vivid memory, emphasizing that the event is still fresh in the speaker’s mind.
8. 彼、事故に遭う前のこと、何も覚えてないんです。
  (かれ、じこにあうまえのこと、なにもおぼえてないんです。)
  ー “He doesn’t remember anything from before the accident.”
  Explanation: This sentence uses 覚えてない(おぼえてない) to express that the person has lost their memories from before the accident.
思い出す (おもいだす) – To recall / To remember (something forgotten)

思い出す(おもいだす) is used when you need to recall something that you temporarily forgot. It refers to retrieving information from your memory.

Example:
1. 無理に思い出そうとしなくても良いよ。
  (むりにおもいだそうとしなくてもいいよ。)
  ー “You don’t have to force yourself to recall it.”
  Explanation: 思い出そう(おもいだそう) refers to the effort of trying to recall something from memory, which is different from simply knowing or remembering something.
2. もしかして、記憶が戻ったの？事故に遭う前のことを思い出した？
  (もしかして、きおくがもどったの？じこにあうまえのことをおもいだした？)
  ー “Did your memory come back? Did you remember what happened before the accident?”
  Explanation: 記憶が戻る(きおくがもどる) means that lost memory has returned. 思い出した(おもいだした) focuses on the act of recalling specific events.
3. 犯人の顔を思い出してください。
  (はんにんのかおをおもいだしてください。)
  ー “Please try to recall the suspect’s face.”
  Explanation: 思い出してください(おもいだしてください) focuses on the process of trying to bring something back to memory.
4. たまには私のことも思い出してね。
  (たまにはわたしのこともおもいだしてね。)
  ー “Remember me once in a while, okay?”
  Explanation: 思い出して(おもいだして) conveys a more emotional or nostalgic kind of recalling. It suggests that the speaker hopes the listener thinks about them occasionally.
5. あ〜！昨日勉強したばかりなのに、思い出せない！
  (あ〜！きのうべんきょうしたばかりなのに、おもいだせない！)
  ー “Ah! I just studied it yesterday, but I can’t remember it!”
  Explanation: Negative potential form, 思い出せない(おもいだせない) expresses frustration at not being able to recall something, even though it was recently learned.
6. 忘れてもすぐに思い出せるように紙に書いておこう。
  (わすれてもすぐにおもいだせるようにかみにかいておこう。)
  ー “Let’s write it down so we can remember it quickly if we forget.”
  Explanation: Potential form 思い出せる(おもいだせる) refers to the ability to recall something when needed.
7. 暗証番号を書いた紙を失くしたの！？今すぐ思い出して！
  (あんしょうばんごうをかいたかみをなくしたの！？いますぐおもいだして！)
  ー “You lost the paper with the PIN on it!? Remember it now!”
  Explanation: 思い出して(おもいだして) is used here as an urgent command to recall the forgotten information.
8. どんな手を使ってでも、彼に暗証番号を思い出してもらおう。
  (どんなてをつかってでも、かれにあんしょうばんごうをおもいだしてもらおう。)
  ー “By any means necessary, let’s get him to remember the PIN.”
  Explanation: 思い出してもらおう(おもいだしてもらおう) focuses on making someone else recall something, implying that the speaker is determined to help or encourage the person to remember.
Common Mistake:

Example:
1. すみません。覚えません。
  (すみません。おぼえません。)
  ー “Sorry. I’m not going to remember.”
  Explanation: This is the negative form of 覚える(おぼえる) in the present/future tense. It indicates a refusal or inability to memorize or remember something in the future. Be careful not to use this form incorrectly when you mean to say you can’t recall something that you previously knew—use 思い出せません (おもいだせません) instead.
2. え〜と、何だったっけ…。思い出しません。
  (え〜と、なんだったっけ…。おもいだしません。)
  ー “Uh… What was it again? I don’t recall.”
  Explanation: The correct expression should be the negative potential form 思い出せません(おもいだせません), meaning “I can’t recall.” Using 思い出しません(おもいだしません) is incorrect because it implies a deliberate refusal to recall, which doesn’t fit the context of trying but failing to remember.
23/10/2024
From Dismissive to Playful: Understanding the Range of まぁ, まぁね and まぁ、まぁ
Nuance and Usage of「まぁ」

「まぁ」 is an interjection with various nuances depending on context and tone. It can express slight hesitation, soften a comment, or downplay a situation. Often, it implies that something is “good enough” without being perfect. It’s commonly used to make statements sound less pushy, casual, or dismissive.

e.g.
1. まぁ、気が変わったらいつでも連絡してよ。
  (まぁ、きがかわったらいつでもれんらくしてよ。)
  ー “Well, if you change your mind, just let me know anytime.”
  Explanation: Softens the statement, making it sound less pushy.
2. まぁ、良いんじゃない？
  (まぁ、いいんじゃない？)
  ー “Well, it’s fine, isn’t it?”
  Explanation: Implies that something is acceptable, though not necessarily perfect.
3. まぁ、そんなに気にしなくても良いんじゃない？
  (まぁ、そんなにきにしなくてもいいんじゃない？)
  ー “Well, you don’t really have to worry about it, right?”
  Explanation: Used to suggest not to worry too much. The tone is light and nonchalant.
4. まぁ、また明日来ればいっか。
  (まぁ、またあしたくればいっか。)
  ー “Well, I guess I’ll just come back tomorrow.”
  Explanation: Expresses acceptance of a small inconvenience with a casual tone.
5. まぁ、あんまり落ち込むなよ。
  (まぁ、あんまりおちこむなよ。)
  ー “Well, don’t be too down.”
  Explanation: Lightly encourages someone, softening the impact.
6. まぁ、失敗しても死ぬわけじゃないし。
  (まぁ、しっぱいしてもしぬわけじゃないし。)
  ー “Well, it’s not like you’ll die even if you fail.”
  Explanation: Downplays failure to offer reassurance.
7. まぁ、そうですねぇ…。
  ー “Well, yeah, I guess…”
  Explanation: Implies partial agreement, suggesting the speaker is not fully convinced.
8. 旅行が中止になったのは残念だけど…。まぁ、あの事故で死ななくて良かったよ。
  (りょこうがちゅうしになったのはざんねんだけど…。まぁ、あのじこでしななくてよかったよ。)
  ー “It’s a shame the trip was canceled, but… well, it’s good that I didn’t die in that accident.”
  Explanation: Here, 「まぁ」is used to downplay the disappointment, shifting the focus to the fortunate outcome. It conveys acceptance with a sense of relief.
9. 少しミスはありますけど。まぁ、全体としては悪くないですよ。
  (すこしみすはありますけど。まぁ、ぜんたいとしてはわるくないですよ。)
  ー “There were a few mistakes, but well, overall it wasn’t bad.”
  Explanation: 「まぁ」softens the critique by acknowledging imperfections without harshness. The tone makes the feedback sound moderate and balanced.
Caution with 「まぁ」in Opinions and Feedback

If you use 「まぁ」to give feedback or an opinion, it can sound dismissive or negative, especially in a professional setting.

e.g.
1. まぁ、良いプレゼンでしたよ。
  (まぁ、いいぷれぜんでしたよ。)
  ー “Well, it was a good presentation.”
  Explanation: The use of 「まぁ」here makes the compliment sound half-hearted, as if the speaker is saying it’s not great, but it’s acceptable.
2. まぁ、美味しかったよ。ごちそうさま。
  (まぁ、おいしかったよ。ごちそうさま。)
  ー “Well, it was tasty. Thank you for the meal.”
  Explanation: Here, the use of 「まぁ」makes the compliment sound half-hearted or insincere, as if the food was just “okay.” It could offend the person who prepared the meal, making it sound dismissive.
3. まぁ、あなたに似合っていますよ。
  (まぁ、あなたににあっていますよ。)
  ー “Well, it suits you.”
  Explanation: Using 「まぁ」in this context sounds as if the compliment is given reluctantly, making it feel lukewarm. It may imply that the outfit is acceptable but not particularly impressive.
Nuance and Usage of「まぁね」and 「まぁな」

「まぁね」and 「まぁな」 is a casual response often used to agree reluctantly or playfully. It can also convey a humorous or self-assured tone, as if the speaker is acting confidently to make light of the situation. Rather than humility, it reflects a cool, nonchalant attitude, striking a balance between acknowledging the compliment and not taking it too seriously. 「まぁな」sounds masculine.

Example Conversations with 「まぁね」
1. Aさん:　え、ヒッチハイクしたことあるの？すごいじゃん！
  　　　　(え、ひっちはいくしたことあるの？すごいじゃん！)
  Bさん:　まぁね。
  ー A: “Really? You’ve hitchhiked before? That’s amazing!”
  ー B: “Well, yeah.”
  Explanation: The response carries a playful or confident undertone, as if the speaker is casually acknowledging the compliment without taking it too seriously. It’s not about humility but about maintaining a cool demeanor.
2. Aさん:　Bさんって日本語も話せるんですね！
  　　　 (Ｂさんってにほんごもはなせるんですね！)
  Bさん:　まぁね。でも、大したことじゃないよ。
  　　　 (まぁね。でも、たいしたことじゃないよ。)
  ー A: “Wow, you can speak Japanese too!”
  ー B: “Well, yeah. But it’s nothing special.”
  Explanation: Although the speaker modestly downplays their ability, the use of 「まぁね」implies they are aware of their skill. The tone is more playful than humble, balancing between confidence and modesty.
3. Aさん:　嬉しくないんですか？昇進できて良かったじゃないですか！
  　　　　(うれしくないんですか？しょうしんできてよかったじゃないですか！)
  Bさん:　まぁね…。ただ、私より相応しい人がいると思うんだよ。
  　　　　(まぁね…。ただ、わたしよりふさわしいひとがいるとおもうんだよ。)
  ー A: “Aren’t you happy? Getting that promotion is a good thing!”
  ー B: “Well, yeah… It’s just, I think someone else deserved it more than me.”
  Explanation: 「まぁね」 is used to give a half-hearted agreement. Bさん acknowledges the positive aspect of the promotion but feels conflicted, expressing self-doubt or modesty. The tone suggests mixed feelings—while Bさん accept the promotion, they think someone else might have been more suitable for it. 「まぁね」 captures the nuance of reluctant agreement, reflecting their inner conflict between acknowledging the achievement and feeling unsure about deserving it.
4. Aくん: お前、イケメンだな。
  　　　(おまえ、いけめんだな。)
  Bくん: まぁな。
  ー A: “You’re pretty handsome, huh?”
  ー B: “Well, yeah.”
  Explanation: 「まぁな」expresses confident acknowledgment, often used with a playful or self-assured tone. It sounds masculine, conveying acceptance of the compliment without sounding overly modest.
5. Aくん: お前の彼女、めっちゃ可愛いな。
  　　　(おまえのかのじょ、めっちゃかわいいな。)
  Bくん: まぁな！
  ー A: “Your girlfriend is super cute!”
  ー B: “Well, yeah!”
  Explanation: The response 「まぁな！」expresses confident acknowledgment with a playful or slightly bragging undertone. It reflects a masculine and lighthearted attitude, as if the speaker agrees while enjoying the compliment but without sounding too serious. The exclamation adds an energetic tone, making the response feel lively and self-assured.
Nuance and Usage of「まぁ、まぁ」

「まぁ、まぁ」 is a soft expression often used to calm someone or defuse a situation. It carries a reassuring, soothing tone, typically employed to encourage relaxation, ease tension, or comfort someone. The repetition adds a sense of warmth and emphasizes the speaker’s intention to create a calming effect. Depending on the situation, it can also imply “it’s not a big deal” or suggest patience.

e.g.
1. まぁまぁ、そんなに怒らなくても…。
  (まぁまぁ、そんなにおこらなくても…)
  ー “Come on, no need to get so angry…”
  Explanation: This phrase is used to de-escalate anger and calm the listener. The repetition of 「まぁ」softens the tone, making it sound reassuring rather than dismissive.
2. まぁまぁ、そんなに落ち込まないで。次はきっと合格するよ。
  (まぁまぁ、そんなにおちこまないで。つぎはきっとごうかくするよ。)
  ー “Come on, don’t feel so down. You’ll surely pass next time.”
  Explanation: Here, 「まぁまぁ」 is used to offer emotional support. The repetition emphasizes empathy, helping the listener feel comforted and optimistic.
3. まぁまぁ、そんなに急がなくても時間はありますよ。急がずにゆっくり行きましょうよ。
  (まぁまぁ、そんなにいそがなくてもじかんはありますよ。いそがずにゆっくりいきましょうよ。)
  ー “Come on, no need to rush. We have time. Let’s take it easy.”
  Explanation: This phrase suggests patience and a relaxed approach, using 「まぁまぁ」 to reduce urgency and promote calm. It reassures the listener that there is no need to hurry.
4. まぁまぁ、ちょっと落ち着いてください。最後にクレジットカードを使ったのはどこでしたか？
  (まぁまぁ、ちょっとおちついてください。さいごにくれじっとかーどをつかったのはどこでしたか？)
  ー “Now, now, please calm down. Where was the last place you used your credit card?”
  Explanation: The repetition of 「まぁ」 acts as a soothing gesture, encouraging the listener to stay calm in a stressful situation. It helps the speaker gain the listener’s attention and focus while reducing panic.
Feminine Use of 「まぁ！」(Not Related)

This is a different use of 「まぁ」, often used to express surprise or admiration in a feminine way. It is less common nowadays.

e.g.
- まぁ！なんて素敵なドレスなの！
  (まぁ！なんてすてきなどれすなの！)
  ー “Oh my! What a beautiful dress!”
This usage is not the same as the casual and nonchalant tone discussed above. Be careful not to confuse them.
20/10/2024
日本語ってさ、ふしぎだよね。: Casual Expressions with 〜さ
The expression 「〜さ」 softens the speaker’s emotions or seeks light confirmation or empathy from the listener. It is used in friendly, casual conversations, giving a somewhat informal impression. However, if not used carefully, it may come across as rude depending on the situation and the listener.

Nuances and Usage
1. Starting a Conversation / Drawing Attention
  「〜(なん)だけどさ」 can introduce opinions, topics, or requests casually to get the listener’s attention.
  Feature: Naturally used between close friends to ease into a topic or conversation without being too abrupt.
2. Expressing Concession with Honest Thoughts / Self-Defense
  This expression can convey minor dissatisfaction or disagreement while giving the impression of understanding the situation. It softens criticism by wrapping it in a concession.
  Feature: Common in situations where the speaker wants to express frustration without coming off as harsh.
3. Seeking Empathy, Agreement, or Confirmation
  The phrase is also used to invite empathy or agreement, especially in friendly conversations. It makes the statement feel less forceful, sounding more like a personal observation or curiosity.
  Feature: Adds a nonchalant tone, encouraging listeners to reflect or share their thoughts.
Usage Note

Be careful: 「〜さ」 is usually used in casual sentences, so it’s not appropriate with polite forms like 「〜です」 or 「〜ます」. Using it in formal contexts can sound awkward or rude.

Additionally, 「〜さ」 is a very casual spoken expression and is not suitable for written language.

Examples with Explanations
1. Starting a Conversation
  明日の会議なんだけどさ、少し遅れても大丈夫かな？
  (あしたのかいぎなんだけどさ、すこしおくれてもだいじょうぶかな？)
  — “About tomorrow’s meeting, is it okay if I arrive a bit late?”
  Explanation: 〜だけどさ makes the conversation opener feel relaxed and non-pressuring, signaling a desire to confirm or check something without being too formal.
2. Expressing Mild Dissatisfaction or Feedback
  美味しいんだけどさ、ちょっと味が濃いんだよね。
  (おいしいんだけどさ、ちょっとあじがこいんだよね。)
  — “It’s tasty, but the flavor is a bit too strong.”
  Explanation: 〜だけどさ softens the criticism, making it feel more like an observation or personal taste rather than harsh feedback.
3. Sharing Honest Feelings with Concession
  別にいいんだけどさ、ちゃんと報告してほしかったな。
  (べつにいいんだけどさ、ちゃんとほうこくしてほしかったな。)
  — “I mean, it’s not a big deal, but I would’ve liked you to report it properly.”
  Explanation: Using 〜だけどさ signals that the speaker doesn’t want to sound demanding but still wants to express their underlying dissatisfaction or wish.
4. Conveying Confirmed Information
  一回確認しておいたんだけどさ、やっぱりもう一回見たほうがいいかな？
  (いっかいかくにんしておいたんだけどさ、やっぱりもういっかいみたほうがいいかな？)
  — “I already checked it once, but do you think I should double-check?”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ here expresses slight uncertainty and invites another opinion without making the speaker sound overly assertive.
5. Inviting Someone Casually
  今週末なんだけどさ、飲みに行かない？
  (こんしゅうまつなんだけどさ、のみにいかない？)
  — “So, about this weekend, do you want to grab some drinks?”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ makes the invitation sound laid-back, as if it’s a casual afterthought, lowering any pressure on the listener to accept.
6. Discussing Health Concerns
  昨日からちょっと頭痛がするんだけどさ、病院に行ったほうがいいかな？
  (きのうからちょっとずつうがするんだけどさ、びょういんにいったほうがいいかな？)
  — “I’ve had a headache since yesterday. Do you think I should see a doctor?”
  Explanation: Using 〜だけどさ here makes the inquiry feel conversational and not overly serious, inviting friendly advice rather than urgent concern.
7. Reporting Casually
  昨日、田中さんに会ったんだけどさ、元気そうだったよ。
  (きのう、たなかさんにあったんだけどさ、げんきそうだったよ。)
  — “I ran into Tanaka-san yesterday, and he seemed well.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ helps to present the report as light and casual, as if sharing everyday gossip without too much significance.
8. Making a Request
  悪いんだけどさ、コピー取ってきてもらえる？
  (わるいんだけどさ、こぴーとってきてもらえる？)
  — “Sorry to trouble you, but could you make a copy?”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ softens the request, making it sound more like a favor between acquaintances rather than a direct demand.
9. Presenting Your Plan
  私さ、来月から留学しようと思ってるんだ。
  (わたしさ、らいげつからりゅうがくしようとおもってるんだ。)
  — “So, I’ve decided to study abroad starting next month.”
  Explanation: Using 〜さ emphasizes that the speaker is casually introducing a personal plan without making it sound like a formal announcement.
10. Reacting to an Event
  あの映画、面白かったけどさ、ちょっと長すぎたよね。
  (あのえいが、おもしろかったけどさ、ちょっとながすぎたよね。)
  — “That movie was good, but it was a bit too long, don’t you think?”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ makes the statement conversational, subtly inviting the listener to agree or share their thoughts without being forceful.
11. Raising an Issue with a Suggestion
  ここも悪くないんだけどさ、もうちょっと安いところがあればいいよね。
  (ここもわるくないんだけどさ、もうちょっとやすいところがあればいいよね。)
  — “This place isn’t bad, but it’d be nice if we found a cheaper one.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ helps convey a mild preference without sounding too critical, making the statement feel more like a friendly suggestion.
12. Talking Casually about Yourself
  私さ、昔から猫が好きでさ、今も3匹飼ってるんだ。
  (わたしさ、むかしからねこがすきでさ、いまもさんびきかってるんだ。)
  — “I’ve always loved cats, and I still have three of them now.”
  Explanation: The 〜さ here emphasizes that the speaker is sharing personal information naturally, making the statement sound familiar and easygoing.
13. Expressing Concern
  彼、大丈夫だとは思うんだけどさ、ちょっと心配なんだよね。
  (かれ、だいじょうぶだとはおもうんだけどさ、ちょっとしんぱいなんだよね。)
  — “I think he’ll be fine, but I’m still a bit worried.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ indicates a mild concern without overdramatizing the situation, making it sound like a casual expression of worry.
14. Confirming Plans
  明日なんだけどさ、何時に集合するんだっけ？
  (あしたなんだけどさ、なんじにしゅうごうするんだっけ？)
  — “About tomorrow, what time are we meeting again?”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ helps to make the question sound light and friendly, as if casually reminding the listener about the plan.
15. Expressing a Slight Preference
  寿司じゃなくてステーキが良かったなぁ。別に良いんだけどさ。
  (すしじゃなくてすてーきがよかったなぁ。べつにいいんだけどさ。)
  — “I would’ve preferred steak over sushi, but it’s not a big deal.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ helps to soften the speaker’s preference, making it clear they’re not upset. This creates a casual tone that avoids sounding too demanding or picky.
16. Lightly Confirming a Suspicion
  これさ、もしかして去年買った牛乳じゃないよね？
  (これさ、もしかしてきょねんかったぎゅうにゅうじゃないよね？)
  — “This isn’t the milk we bought last year, is it?”
  Explanation: The 〜さ adds a playful or light tone to the suspicion, making it sound more humorous and less accusatory, perfect for casual conversations.
17. Conceding While Sharing Honest Thoughts
  もっと早く言って欲しかったな。聞かなかった私も悪いんだけどさ。
  (もっとはやくいってほしかったな。きかなかったわたしもわるいんだけどさ。)
  — “I wish you had told me earlier. But it’s my fault too for not asking.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ here conveys regret in a non-confrontational way, softening the expression of dissatisfaction by admitting some responsibility on the speaker’s part.
18. Expressing Disappointment Casually
  頑張ったんだけどさ、誰も褒めてくれないんだよね。
  (がんばったんだけどさ、だれもほめてくれないんだよね。)
  — “I worked hard, but no one praised me.”
  Explanation: This sentence expresses mild frustration and disappointment in a casual, indirect way. The use of 「〜だけどさ」 softens the tone, suggesting that the speaker isn’t looking for a confrontation but still wants to share their dissatisfaction. It’s a way of venting feelings without being too harsh, typical of conversations with close friends or colleagues.
19. Revealing a Secret Casually
  私さ、ずっと秘密にしてたんだけどさ、実は29歳じゃなくて36歳なんだ。
  (わたしさ、ずっとひみつにしてたんだけどさ、じつはにじゅうきゅうさいじゃなくてさんじゅうろくさいなんだ。)
  — “So, I’ve been keeping a secret for a while, but actually, I’m 36, not 29.”
  Explanation: This example introduces the speaker’s personal secret in a casual, friendly tone. The use of 「〜さ」 gives the confession a light, non-serious feel, making it sound less like a formal apology and more like an amusing admission between friends.
20. Using 「〜さ」 in a Confrontational Tone
  田中さんさ、何度同じミスすれば分かるの？
  (たなかさんさ、なんどおなじみすすればわかるの？)
  — “Tanaka-san, how many times do you have to make the same mistake to understand?”
  Explanation: A frustrated or exasperated tone. The listener can sense that negative feedback is coming just from the phrase “田中さんさ” with the tone.
21. Apologizing While Sharing a Preference
  ごめん。買ってきてもらったのに悪いんだけどさ、無糖のアーモンドミルクが良かったんだよね。言わなかった俺が悪いんだけどさ。
  (ごめん。かってきてもらったのにわるいんだけどさ、むとうのあーもんどみるくがよかったんだよね。いわなかったおれがわるいんだけどさ。)
  — “Sorry. I appreciate you getting it, but I was hoping for unsweetened almond milk. It’s my fault for not saying anything.”
  Explanation: The 〜だけどさ structure softens the delivery of a mild preference by acknowledging both gratitude and personal responsibility. This makes the message sound less critical, balancing the expression of disappointment with an apology to maintain a polite and friendly tone. It also helps the speaker avoid coming off as demanding or ungrateful, making it suitable for casual conversations.
22. Raising a Concern
  あのさ、いつも遅刻して悪いと思わないの？
  (あのさ、いつもちこくしてわるいとおもわないの？)
  — “Hey, don’t you feel bad about always being late?”
  Explanation: This expression is used to confront someone casually, typically to express frustration or dissatisfaction. Starting with “あのさ” makes the tone more direct but still conversational. It softens the confrontation just a little compared to a fully aggressive approach.
23. Introducing a Request
  あのさ、お願いがあるんだけど…。
  (あのさ、おねがいがあるんだけど…)
  — “Hey, I have a favor to ask…”
  Explanation: This sentence introduces a request in a soft, non-pressuring way. The use of “あのさ” creates an approachable and casual tone, preparing the listener for what follows. Perfect for friendly settings when asking for a favor.
24. Sharing a Light Opinion or Curiosity
  日本語ってさ、不思議だよね。
  (にほんごってさ、ふしぎだよね。)
  — “Japanese is kind of mysterious, isn’t it?”
  Explanation: 「～さ」 used here to express a casual reflection, inviting the listener to agree or share their thoughts. It adds a friendly and nonchalant vibe, making the speaker sound like they’re just thinking out loud. This phrase is often used when someone is marveling at the complexities or unique aspects of the Japanese language, creating a conversational tone that feels natural among friends.
Caution

Expressions using 〜さ may seem positive in writing, but depending on the speaker’s tone, they can sound curt, complaining, indecisive, or sentimental. Overusing 〜さ in conversation can make the speaker come across as annoying, unrefined, or childish. It is an advanced grammar point that requires skill to master.

Performance in Dramas and Anime

In dramas and anime, characters often overuse 「〜さ」 to immediately convey that the character is lighthearted, frivolous or sentimental. Pay attention to how this is used to understand character personalities more deeply.

Summary

The particle 「〜さ」 and expressions like 「〜(ん)だけどさ」 help soften conversations and make the speaker’s statements feel more personal or reflective. These expressions are useful for:
- Starting conversations casually
- Expressing preferences, frustrations, or concessions softly
- Inviting agreement, empathy, or feedback from the listener
While effective in informal settings, they can sound rude or careless if overused or used with inappropriate tone. Use them primarily with close friends in relaxed environments, and avoid them in formal settings.
17/10/2024

‘That’s Not What I Meant!’ : How to Use 〜わけじゃない Like a Native

The expression “〜わけじゃない” is used to deny or clarify a statement by saying “It’s not that…”. This pattern allows the speaker to express that while something might appear to be true, it’s not entirely the case. In other words, it implies that the situation is more complex or nuanced than it might seem.

Formality Level :

Most Informal: 〜わけじゃない
Informal/Formal writing: 〜わけではない (also preferred for writing reports or essays)
Friendly Formal: 〜わけじゃないです / 〜わけじゃありません
More Formal: 〜わけではないです
Most Formal: 〜わけではありません

Grammar Patterns for 〜わけじゃない:

Category	Pattern	Example Sentence	Translation
NOUN	Noun + って(いう) わけじゃない(informal) (いう is optional)	有名人っていうわけじゃない。 (ゆうめいじんっていうわけじゃない。)	“It’s not that I’m a famous person.”
	Noun + というわけではない (formal)	お金持ちというわけではない。 (おかねもちというわけではない。)	“It’s not that I’m a rich person.”
い-Adjective	い-adjective + わけじゃない	遠いわけじゃない。 (とおいわけじゃない。)	“It’s not that it’s far.”
な-Adjective	な-adjective + わけじゃない (keep な of な-adjective)	好きなわけじゃない。 (すきなわけじゃない。)	“It’s not that I like it.”
VERB	Verb (casual form) + わけじゃない	見たわけじゃない。 (みたわけじゃない。)	“It’s not that I saw it.”
		行きたいわけじゃない。 (いきたいわけじゃない。)	“It’s not that I want to go.”

Example Sentences :

日本だけが米を食べる国というわけではありません。
(にほんだけがこめをたべるくにというわけではありません。)
— “It’s not that only Japan is a country that eats rice.”
Explanation: This sentence clarifies a misconception. It suggests that while Japan is known for eating rice, it’s not the only country with this dietary habit.
めっちゃかわいい猫ってわけじゃないんだよ。どちらかと言うとブサかわいいって感じ。
(めっちゃかわいいねこってわけじゃないじゃないんだよ。どちらかというとぶさかわいいってかんじ。)
— “It’s not like it’s an extremely cute cat. If anything, it’s more like an ugly-cute type.”
Explanation: This sentence clarifies that the cat isn’t conventionally cute, but instead has a quirky charm, sometimes described as “ugly-cute” (ぶさかわいい).
納豆が嫌いなわけじゃありません。
(なっとうがきらいなわけじゃありません。)
— “It’s not that I dislike natto.”
Explanation: This phrase is used to clarify that the speaker doesn’t particularly hate natto, but perhaps just doesn’t prefer it or doesn’t eat it often.
忙しかったわけじゃないんだけど、色々とやる事があってバタバタしてたんだ。
(いそがしかったわけじゃないんだけど、いろいろとやることがあってバタバタしてたんだ。)
— “It’s not that I was busy, but I just had a lot of little things to take care of, so I was rushing around.”
Explanation: The speaker is explaining that they weren’t officially busy but had many small tasks, making them feel hectic.
仕事が楽しくないわけではないんだけど。
(しごとがたのしくないわけではないんだけど。)
— “It’s not that I don’t enjoy my work.”
Explanation: The speaker wants to imply that there are aspects they enjoy, but perhaps there are difficulties or something else they find challenging.
彼のことを嫌いになったわけじゃないの。
(かれのことをきらいになったわけじゃないの。)
— “It’s not that I came to dislike him.”
Explanation: The speaker clarifies that while their feelings may have changed, it wasn’t a matter of dislike.
行きたくないわけじゃない。
(いきたくないわけじゃない。)
— “It’s not that I don’t want to go.”
Explanation: The speaker might actually want to go, but there could be other reasons for hesitation or concerns.
行かなかったわけではないんです。行ったけど、怖くなって帰ってしまったんです。
(いかなかったわけではないんです。いったけど、こわくなってかえってしまったんです。)
— “It’s not that I didn’t go. I went, but I got scared and ended up going back.”
Explanation: This speaker clarifies that the they did go, but something unexpected (fear) caused them to leave. It’s used to express that the initial impression (not going) isn’t entirely accurate.
私はお金持ちになりたいわけではありません。
(わたしはおかねもちになりたいわけではありません。)
— “It’s not that I want to become rich.”
Explanation: The speaker wants to clarify that their actions aren’t driven by a desire for wealth, but perhaps for other reasons.
自信がないわけじゃないんでしょ？
(じしんがないわけじゃないんでしょ？)
— “It’s not that you lack confidence, right?”
Explanation: Used to suggest that the person may have more confidence than they realize.
ずっとこの会社で働こうと思っているわけじゃないよ。
(ずっとこのかいしゃではたらこうとおもっているわけじゃないよ。)
— “It’s not that I’m planning to work at this company forever.”
Explanation: The speaker is clarifying that their long-term plan isn’t necessarily to stay at their current job.
勉強したくないわけじゃないんだけど、やる気が出なくて。
(べんきょうしたくないわけじゃないんだけど、やるきがでなくて。)
— “It’s not that I don’t want to study, but I just don’t feel motivated.”
Explanation: The speaker wants to study but is struggling with motivation.
休むなと言っているわけじゃないんだよ。でも急いでほしいんだ。
(やすむなといっているわけじゃないんだよ。でもいそいでほしいんだ。)
— “I’m not saying you shouldn’t take a break, but I just want you to hurry up.”
Explanation: The speaker acknowledges the need for a break but is emphasizing urgency.
仕事が上手くいっていないわけではありません。
(しごとがうまくいっていないわけではありません。)
— “It’s not that work isn’t going well.”
Explanation: This implies that work is progressing reasonably, but perhaps not perfectly.
食べられないわけではなくて、食べたくないんです。
(たべられないわけではなくて、たべたくないんです。)
— “It’s not that I can’t eat it; I just don’t want to.”
彼のこと愛していないわけじゃないんだけど、結婚はできない。
(かれのことあいしていないわけじゃないんだけど、けっこんはできない。)
— “It’s not that I don’t love him, but I can’t marry him.”
Explanation: The speaker’s feelings for the person aren’t the issue; there’s another reason preventing marriage.
まさか嘘をついていたわけじゃないよね？
(まさかうそをついていたわけじゃないよね？)
— “It’s not that you were lying, right?”
Explanation: This expresses disbelief or doubt, suggesting that the speaker hopes the listener wasn’t lying but wants reassurance.
え？まさか緑茶に砂糖入れるわけじゃないよね？うそでしょ？
(え？まさかりょくちゃにさとういれるわけじゃないよね？うそでしょ？)
— “Wait, it’s not that you’re putting sugar in green tea, right? You’ve got to be kidding!”
Explanation: The speaker expresses shock and disbelief, as putting sugar in green tea is unexpected and unusual in Japanese culture.
確かにかっこいいとは言ったけど、彼のことが好きなわけじゃないよ。
(たしかにかっこいいとはいったけど、かれのことがすきなわけじゃないよ。)
— “I did say he’s cool, but it’s not that I like him.”
残念ながら彼はあなたにだけ優しいわけではなくて、世界中のみんなに優しいんです。
(ざんねんながらかれはあなたにだけやさしいわけではなくて、せかいじゅうのみんなにやさしいんです。)
— “Unfortunately, it’s not that he’s only kind to you; he’s kind to everyone in the world.”
彼女のことを好きじゃなくなったわけじゃないんだ。ただ、僕にとって一人の時間もすごく大切なんだよ。
(かのじょのことをすきじゃなくなったわけじゃないんだ。ただ、ぼくにとってひとりのじかんもすごくたいせつなんだよ。)
— “It’s not that I stopped liking her. It’s just that having time alone is really important to me.”
こんなにすごい事、誰にでも出来るわけじゃないですよ！才能がありますよ！
(こんなにすごいこと、だれにでもできるわけじゃないですよ！さいのうがありますよ！)
— “It’s not that just anyone can do something this amazing! You’ve got talent!”
期待していたわけではありませんが、誰にも誕生日を祝ってもらえないと悲しいですね。
(きたいしていたわけではありませんが、だれにもたんじょうびをいわってもらえないとかなしいですね。)
— “It’s not that I was expecting it, but it still feels sad when no one celebrates my birthday.”
忍者になるのを諦めたわけじゃないでしょ？
(にんじゃになるのをあきらめたわけじゃないでしょ？)
— “It’s not that you’ve given up on becoming a ninja, right?”

「そういうわけじゃない」

The word そういう is a 連体詞 (れんたいし), which is known as an attributive word in Japanese grammar. Attributive words are used to modify nouns, similar to adjectives, but they do not fit into the standard adjective categories (い-adjectives or な-adjectives).

Breakdown of そういう:

そう: Indicates “like that” or “that kind of” (refers to something previously mentioned or implied).
いう: Derived from 言う, meaning “to say” or “to describe.”
When combined, そういう means “such,” “that kind of,” or “like that.”

In the context of そういうわけじゃない, そういう is used to describe the type of situation or reason (わけ) being referred to.

Example :

そういうわけじゃないよ。
— “That’s not what I mean.”
Explanation: This phrase can be used in a conversation to say that the listener’s interpretation isn’t accurate. When used by itself, the speaker’s tone of voice and facial expression are very important. Typically, the listener expects the speaker to provide further explanation or continue the conversation. Without any additional clarification, this phrase can sound blunt or dismissive, potentially making the interaction feel awkward.
そういうわけじゃないんだけど、ただ何となく。
(そういうわけじゃないんだけど、ただなんとなく。)
— “It’s not like that; I just have a feeling.”
Explanation: The speaker is unsure of the exact reason and is expressing it vaguely.
ごめんね。そういうわけじゃなくて… 僕が言いたかったのは…。
(ごめんね。そういうわけじゃなくて… ぼくがいいたかったのは…)
— “Sorry, that’s not what I meant… What I wanted to say was…”
Explanation: The speaker clarifies that their intended message was different from how it was interpreted.
すみません。私の説明が悪かったです。そういうわけではありません。
(すみません。わたしのせつめいがわるかったです。そういうわけではありません。)
— “Sorry, my explanation wasn’t clear. That’s not what I meant.”
Explanation: This speaker clarifies that the misunderstanding wasn’t the speaker’s intended message. The speaker acknowledges that their explanation may have caused confusion and uses そういうわけではありません to correct the listener’s interpretation.

13/10/2024

‘Some People’ in Japanese? : Expressing Vague Quantities

When expressing vague quantities in Japanese—whether referring to people, objects, or animals—different phrases and patterns can be used depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey. From “some” and “a few” to “several” and “tens of,” these expressions often involve subtle variations in structure and focus. This article will break down several key patterns, and illustrate their usage with a variety of examples to help you understand how to express quantities naturally in Japanese.

1. 何人か (なんにんか)

[何 + counter + か] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　　 or
[SB/STH] + の + [何 + counter + か]

This structure is used to express an uncertain or small number of items, such as people, books, or animals. By adding 何 to the counter, the meaning becomes “some” or “a few.”

Difference in Focus:

There is a subtle difference between placing 何 + counter + か before or after the noun. When using 何匹かの子犬 (なんびきかのこいぬ), the focus is on the number (i.e., some of the puppies), whereas with 子犬の何匹か (こいぬのなんびきか), the focus is slightly more on the puppies as a group.

e.g. using counter 人(にん) for people

[ 何人か ] の [ 学生 ] は来ませんでした。
([ なんにんか ] の [ がくせい ] はきませんでした。)
— Some students didn’t come.
[ 学生 ] の [ 何人か ] は来ませんでした。
([がくせい] の [なんにんか] はきませんでした。)
— Some of the students didn’t come.

e.g. using counter 匹 (ひき/ぴき/びき) for puppies
[ 何匹か ] の [ 子犬 ] は引き取られました。
([ なんびきか ] の [こいぬ] はひきとられました。)
— Some puppies were adopted.

other examples:
その公園には何本かの桜の木があります。
(そのこうえんには なんぼんかの さくらのきがあります。)
— There are a few cherry blossom trees in that park.
欲しかった本の何冊かを買うことができました。
(ほしかったほんの なんさつかをかうことができました。)
— I was able to buy some of the books I wanted.
女の子は飴の何個かを弟にあげました。
(おんなのこはあめの なんこかをおとうとにあげました。)
— “The girl gave some of the candies to her little brother.”
彼は何校かの大学を受験するつもりです。
(かれは なんこうかの だいがくをじゅけんするつもりです。)
— “He intends to apply to several universities.”
ライブの曲の何曲かはバラードです。
(らいぶのきょくの なんきょくかはばらーどです。)
— “Some of the songs in the live performance are ballads.”
出張のために、何枚かの着替えを持っていきます。
(しゅっちょうのために、なんまいかのきがえをもっていきます。)
— “I’ll take a few changes of clothes for the business trip.”

2. いくつか/ いくらか

[いくつか/ いくらか] + の + [STH]
　　　　　　 or
[STH] + の + [いくつか/いくらか]

いくつか is a general way to say “some” or “several” for non-living objects. It is typically used for smaller quantities and counts things like apples, books, or countries. Note that いくつ is a counter that can count up to 10 items (ひとつ、ふたつ、みっつ… とお).

いくらか is used to express “some” or “a certain amount of” for things that are uncountable or cannot be divided into individual units, such as money, investment, or abstract quantities like time. Unlike いくつか, which is used for discrete items, いくらか refers to a vague quantity and can imply a small but undefined amount.

e.g.

[ いくつか ] の [ 国 ] は反対しています。
([ いくつか ] の [ くに ] ははんたいしています。)
— Some countries are opposed.
[ そのリンゴ ] の [ いくつか ] は傷んでいました。
([ そのりんご ] の [ いくつか ] はいたんでいました。)
— Some of those apples were spoiled.
[ いくらか ] の [ 投資 ] をしたい。
([ いくらか ] の [ とうし ] をしたい。)
— “I want to make some investments.”
[ いくらか ] の [ 時間 ] が必要です。
([ いくらか ] の [ じかん ] がひつようです。)
— “I need some time.”

other examples:
欲しかった本のいくつかを図書館で見つけました。
(ほしかったほんの いくつかをとしょかんでみつけました。)
— I found some of the books I wanted at the library.
いくつかの証拠が見つかった。
(いくつかの しょうこがみつかった。)
ー “Some pieces of evidence were found.”
これらの問題のいくつかはすでに解決しています。
(これらのもんだいの いくつかはすでにかいけつしています。)
ー “Some of these problems have already been solved.”
いくらかの貯金はあります。
(いくらかの ちょきんはあります。)
— “I have some savings.”
災害に備えて、いくらかの水を用意しています。
(さいがいにそなえて、いくらかのみずをよういしています。)
— “I have some water prepared in case of a disaster.”
このポジションにはいくらかの経験が必要です。
(このぽじしょんには いくらかの けいけんがひつようです。)
— “Some experience is required for this position.”

3. 数人 (すうにん)

[数 + counter] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　 or
[SB/STH] + の + [数 + counter]

This pattern uses 数 (すう), which means “several,” “a few,” or “some,” and is often used with specific counters like 人 (にん) for people, 匹 (ひき) for small animals, or 冊 (さつ) for books.

e.g. using counter 人(にん) for people

[ 数人 ] の [ 学生 ] は留学生です。
([ すうにん ] の [ がくせい ] はりゅうがくせいです。)
— “Several students are international students.”

e.g. using counter ヶ国(かこく) for countries
[ アジア ] の [ 数カ国 ] に行ったことがあります。
([ あじあ ] の [ すうかこく ] にいったことがあります。)
ー “I have been to some countries in Asia.”

other examples:
数冊の本を持ってきました。
(すうさつのほんをもってきました。)
— “I brought several books.”
数回のデートの後でプロポーズしました。
(すうかいの でーとのあとでぷろぽーずしました。) ー “I proposed after a few dates.”
数箇所に釘を打ってください。
(すうかしょにくぎをうってください。)
— “Please hammer nails into several spots.”
数分待ってもらえますか？
(すうふん まってもらえますか？)
— “Could you wait for a few minutes?”
ガソリンスタンドはここから数キロ離れたところにあります。
(ガソリンスタンドはここから すうキロ はなれたところにあります。)
— “The gas station is a few kilometers away from here.”

4. 〜もいる/ある

[ 〜 SB/STH] + も + いる/ある

いる is used for living things (people, animals, insects), while ある is used for non-living things (anything other than people, animals, and insects, such as objects, places, events, ideas, plants, etc.)

〜もいる/ある indicates “there is also SB/STH that ~.” The も particle emphasizes inclusion or comparison, making it useful for pointing out exceptions or variations within a group.

e.g.

[ 飛べない鳥 ] もいます。
([ とべないとり ] もいます。)
— “There are also birds that can’t fly.”
[ 夢を見ない人 ] もいます。
([ ゆめをみないひと ] もいます。)
— “There are also some people don’t dream (while sleeping).”

other examples:
掃除が好きな人もいます。
(そうじがすきなひともいます。)
— “There are also some people like cleaning.”
人懐っこい馬もいます。
(ひとなつっこいうまもいます。)
ー “There are also some friendly horses.”
出かけたくない日もあります。
(でかけたくないひもあります。)
ー “There are also some days when I don’t feel like going out.”
身長を気にする人もいます。
(しんちょうをきにするひともいます。)
ー “There are also some people who are concerned about their height.”
健康を気にしない人もいます。
(けんこうをきにしないひともいます。)
ー “There are also some people who don’t care about their health.”
注射を怖がらない子供もいます。
(ちゅうしゃをこわがらないこどももいます。)
ー “There are also some children who aren’t afraid of injections.”
人生には上手くいかない時もあります。
(じんせいには うまくいかないときもあります。)
ー “There are also some times in life when things don’t go well.”
コーヒーに砂糖を入れない時もあります。
(こーひーにさとうをいれないときもあります。)
ー “There are also some times when I don’t put sugar in my coffee.”
いくつか知らない言葉もありました。
(いくつか しらないことばも ありました。)
— “There were also some words I didn’t know.”

5. 数十人の人 (すうじゅうにんのひと)

[数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　　　　or
[SB/STH] + の + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]

When dealing with larger numbers, 数 (すう) can be paired with counters like 十 (じゅう), 百 (ひゃく), 千 (せん), or 万 (まん) to indicate tens, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands, respectively.

Japanese	Reading (Hiragana)	Number	English Translation
十	じゅう	10	ten
百	ひゃく	100	hundred
千	せん	1,000	thousand
万	まん	10,000	ten thousand
十万	じゅうまん	100,000	one hundred thousand
百万	ひゃくまん	1,000,000	one million
千万	せんまん	10,000,000	ten million
億	おく	100,000,000	one hundred million
十億	じゅうおく	1,000,000,000	one billion
百億	ひゃくおく	10,000,000,000	ten billion
千億	せんおく	100,000,000,000	one hundred billion
兆	ちょう	1,000,000,000,000	one trillion

e.g. using counter 人(にん) for people

[ 十数人 ]の[ 人 ] を招待しました。
([ じゅうすうにん ] の [ ひと ] をしょうたいしました。)
ー “I invited about a dozen people.”
[ 数十人 ]の[ 人 ] を招待しました。
([ すうじゅうにん ] の [ ひと ] をしょうたいしました。)
ー “I invited a few dozen people.”
[ 数百人 ]の[ 人 ] を招待しました。
([ すうひゃくにん ] の [ ひと ] をしょうたいしました。)
ー “I invited a few hundred people.”

e.g. using counter 社 (しゃ) for companies
[ 数十社 ] の [ 代表 ] が集まりました。
([ すうじゅっしゃ ] の [ だいひょう ] があつまりました。)
ー “Representatives from several dozen companies gathered.”

other examples:
数百人の人がデモに参加しました。
(すうひゃくにんのひとがでもにさんかしました。)
— “Hundreds of people joined the demonstration.”
数千本の木を植えました。
(すうせんぼんのきをうえました。)
— “They planted thousands of trees.”
毎年、数万種類の生き物が絶滅しています。
(まいとし、すうまんしゅるいの いきものがぜつめつしています。)
— “Every year, tens of thousands of species go extinct.”
世界中から十数カ国が参加しました。
(せかいじゅうから じゅうすうかこくがさんかしました。)
ー “Around a dozen countries from around the world participated.”
その作品が完成するまでに数百時間がかかった。
(さくひんがかんせいするまでに すうひゃくじかん かかった。)
ー “It took several hundred hours to complete that work.”
彼は数十万ドルの車を数台持っています。
(かれは すうじゅうまんどるの くるまをすうだいもっています。)
— “He owns several cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Omitting the Object

If the context is clear, you can omit the object and just use [何 + counter + か], [いくつか], [数 + counter] or [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter].

e.g.

[ 何人か ] は来ませんでした。
([ なんにんか ] はきませんでした。)
— “Some didn’t come.”
[ いくつか ] は見つかりませんでした。
([ いくつか ] はみつかりませんでした。)
— “Some were not found.”
[ 数人 ] は来ました。
([ すうにん ]はきました。)
— “Several came.”

other examples:
何匹かからは感染症が見つかりました。
(なんびきかからはかんせんしょうがみつかりました。)
— “Some of the animals were found to have an infection.”
そのことを何人かに話しました。
(そのことを なんにんかにはなしました。)
— “I told about it to a few people.”
そのクラスに何年か通っていました。
(そのクラスに なんねんか かよっていました。)
— “I attended that class for several years.”
何日か泊めてくれない？
(なんにちかとめてくれない？)
— “Can you let me stay for a few days?”
ポケットにいくらか入っていました。
(ポケットに いくらか はいっていました。)
— “There was some money in my pocket.”
数百人からアンケートを取りました。
(すうひゃくにんからアンケートをとりました。)
— “We collected surveys from hundreds of people.”

Other Examples :
When [SB/STH] is Not the Subject

In sentences where [SB/STH] is not the subject, it acts as the object or another part of the sentence. When describing these parts, use the following patterns:

[SB/STH] + を + [何 + counter + か]
[SB/STH] + を + [いくつか/いくら + か]
[SB/STH] + を + [数 + counter ]
[SB/STH] + を + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]

e.g.

週末に映画を何本か見ました。
(しゅうまつに えいがを なんぼんか みました。)
— “I watched a few movies over the weekend.”
グラスをいくつか取ってくれない？
(グラスを いくつか とってくれない？)
— “Could you get a few glasses for me?”
お金をいくらか貸してくれない？　
(おかねを いくらか かしてくれない？)
— “Could you lend me some money?”
好きなカードを数枚選んでください。
(すきな カードを すうまい えらんでください。)
— “Please choose a few of your favorite cards.”
結婚式に家族や友達を数十人招待しました。　
(けっこんしきに かぞくやともだちを すうじゅうにん しょうたいしました。)
— “I invited a few dozen family members and friends to the wedding.”

Other Examples : When speaker is emphasizing the Number

When the speaker wants to emphasize the number—either because it feels like too little or a lot—they often use particles like も, だけ, or しか. Each of these particles has a slightly different connotation:

も: Adds emphasis on a larger quantity than expected.

だけ: Limits the number, highlighting it as “only” that amount.
しか: Creates a negative nuance, emphasizing a quantity as insufficient or surprisingly low.

e.g.

友達がおもしろい漫画を何冊も貸してくれたの。
(ともだちがおもしろいまんがをなんさつもかしてくれたの。)
— “My friend lent me several interesting manga.”
Explanation: 何冊も (なんさつも) with も emphasizes that the number of manga is a lot, more than expected. It conveys a feeling of being impressed or appreciative of the quantity.
彼女とは何ヶ月も会ってないよ。
(かのじょとは なんかげつも あってないよ。)
— “I haven’t seen her for months.”
Explanation: 何ヶ月も (なんかげつも) highlights that the speaker hasn’t seen her for “many” months, emphasizing a longer duration than usual.
赤ちゃんは一度にいくつもの言語を学ぶことができる。
(あかちゃんはいちどに いくつもの げんごをまなぶことができる。)
— “A baby can learn multiple languages at once.”
Explanation: いくつもの (いくつも + の) is used to indicate “many” or “several” languages, adding a nuance of wonder or surprise at the baby’s ability to learn multiple things simultaneously.
彼女とは数回しか会ってない。
(かのじょとは すうかいしか あってない。)
— “I’ve only met her a few times.”
Explanation: しか is paired with the negative form, 会ってない, to emphasize that the speaker thinks the number of meetings is too few. This combination adds a negative nuance to the quantity.

Caution: Unnatural Combinations

When using expressions like 数 (すう), 何 (なん), and specific counters, some particle combinations can sound awkward or unnatural. Here’s why:

数回も
The use of も after 数回 (すうかい, “a few times”) can sound unnatural. This is because も generally emphasizes a number that feels high or surprising. Since 数回 already indicates a moderate quantity, using も can create an imbalance, as if expressing surprise at what is considered a small number. Instead, use 数回 on its own or consider using 何回も (なんかいも) if you want to emphasize that the action occurred many times.
- ✗ 数回も会いました。
- ✓ 何回も会いました。— “We’ve met many times.”
何ヶ月だけ
The particle だけ implies a limited quantity, often meaning “only.” When used with 何ヶ月 (なんかげつ, “several months”), it can sound awkward because 何ヶ月 is already an approximate expression that doesn’t specify an exact count. The combination is redundant, as だけ typically pairs better with specific quantities (e.g., 1ヶ月だけ).
- ✗ 何ヶ月だけ待ちました。
- ✓ 3ヶ月だけ待ちました。— “I waited for only 3 months.”
何ヶ月しか
While しか can be used with 何 phrases, it can create a contradictory nuance when paired with 何ヶ月. This is because 何ヶ月 is inherently an uncertain expression, but しか expects a definite quantity to emphasize insufficiency or disappointment. Instead, use a clearer number to create the contrast, such as 1ヶ月しか or 2ヶ月しか.
- ✗ 何ヶ月しか会ってない。
- ✓ 2ヶ月しか会ってない。— “I’ve only seen her for two months.”

By being mindful of these combinations, you can avoid awkward-sounding sentences and use these expressions naturally.

06/10/2024

Mastering Conditionals: と, たら, ば, なら, and Beyond!
The Japanese expressions “〜と,” “〜たら,” “〜ば,” and “〜なら” are all used to indicate hypothetical situations or conditions, but each has its own unique nuances. Depending on the context, they may be interchangeable, but subtle differences can affect the overall meaning. By understanding how to differentiate these forms, you can use more natural-sounding Japanese.
Additionally, I will also cover the advanced and more casual expressions “〜んだったら” and “〜んなら,” which are commonly used in daily conversation.
1.「〜と」 → “When”

(Definite Condition; Tense: Present/Future/Past)

「と」 is used to express a condition with a high degree of certainty, indicating that whenever one action happens, a particular result will inevitably follow. It is primarily used in the present or future tense to denote general truths, habits, or natural laws.

　Examples (Present/Future Tense)
- 春になると、桜が咲きます。（はるになると、さくらがさきます。)
  — “When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.”
  
  Examples (Past Tense):
- 私が手を振ると、子供たちが走ってきました。（わたしがてをふると、こどもたちがはしってきました。）
  — “When I waved my hand, the children ran toward me.”
Point: While 「と」 can be used with past actions or events, it is often used to emphasize a direct causal relationship between the two events. Therefore, it is suitable for contexts where actions occur consecutively.

Caution: 「と」 does not naturally pair with sentences involving volitional actions or requests. For example, 雨が降ると、傘をさします。(あめがふると、かさをさします。)ー”When it rains, I’ll put up the umbrella” is natural, but “雨が降ると、傘を持っていきます。(あめがふると、かさをもっていきます。)ー “When it rains, I’ll take an umbrella” feels slightly unnatural.
2.「〜たら」 → “When”

(Realizable Condition; Tense: Future/Past)

「たら」 is used to indicate a realistic condition or hypothetical situation. It suggests the result or subsequent action based on a particular future or past condition, often reflecting the speaker’s subjective judgment or emotions. The certainty is lower than with 「と」, and the realization of the condition is somewhat uncertain.
　Examples (Future Tense):

彼が来たら、嬉しいです。（かれがきたら、うれしいです。）
— “When he comes, I’ll be happy.”

Examples (Past Tense):

彼が帰ったら、家がとても静かになった。（かれがかえったら、いえがとてもしずかになった。）
— “When he went home, the house became very quiet.”
Point: 「たら」 can be used to create past conditional statements, making it versatile for describing events based on past scenarios.

Caution: 「たら」 has a slightly casual tone and is frequently used in everyday conversations.
3.「〜ば」 → “If” or “When”

(Hypothetical Condition; Tense: Future)

「ば」 indicates that if a certain condition is met, a specific result will follow. It is used for expressing hypothetical or general conditions and has a modest tone. While it is closest to “If” in English, if the condition leads to an inevitable result, it can be translated as “When.” It is mainly used for future scenarios.

Examples:
- 雨が降れば、家にいます。（あめがふれば、いえにいます。）
  — “If it rains, I’ll stay home.”
- お金があれば、旅行に行きたい。（おかねがあれば、りょこうにいきたい。）
  — “If I have money, I want to travel.”
- 行けば分かるよ。（いけばわかるよ。）
  — “If you go, you’ll understand.”
Point: 「ば」 is suited for hypothetical conditions, and it is less concrete than 「たら」, making it ideal for sentences focused on possibilities.

Caution: This expression is relatively formal and thus suitable for business settings.
4.「〜なら」 → “If”

(Hypothetical Condition or Suggestion; Tense: Present/Future)

「なら」 expresses a condition or suggestion based on current information or future assumptions. It is used when the speaker gives an opinion or judgment based on existing information, making it the closest in nuance to “If” in English. It can easily establish flexible conditions and is frequently used for proposals or opinions.

Examples:
- 明日雨なら、ピクニックは中止です。（あしたあめなら、ぴくにっくはちゅうしです。）
  — “If it rains tomorrow, the picnic will be canceled.”
Point: Since 「なら」 is based on the speaker’s understanding or perception, it often makes the hypothetical condition concrete.

Caution: It gives a softer impression, making it suitable for casual conversations.
Using “〜と, 〜たら, 〜ば, and 〜なら”: Tense and Context
All of these expressions are used to indicate conditions for future actions or hypothetical scenarios, but their tense and nuances vary.

Differences in Tense
「〜と」 is most often used to describe current habits or general truths. It can also be used for past actions as conditions. It is suitable for stating definite conditions.

「〜たら」 easily adapts to the past tense and is ideal for forming conditional sentences based on past events. It can also express future conditions.

「〜ば」 is suitable for expressing general conditions, often focusing on hypothetical scenarios. While it is similar to 「たら」, it has a slightly more formal impression.

「〜なら」 is often used for expressing suggestions or judgments based on current or future conditions. It is most suitable for expressing opinions based on specific information.
Tips for Differentiation and Interchangeability

Although these expressions differ in tense and nuance, in casual conversations they are sometimes interchangeable. For example, in expressing real conditions or proposals, 「〜たら」, 「〜ば」, and 「〜なら」 can be replaced depending on the context.

Example:
- 雨が　降ったら／降れば／降るなら　、ピクニックは中止です。(あめがふったら／ふれば／ふるなら、ぴくにっくはちゅうしです。）
  — “If it rains, the picnic will be canceled.”
In the above example, any of the expressions would work, but subtle nuances arise:
- 「たら」: Indicates a specific condition.
- 「ば」: Focuses on the condition itself, with a slightly more formal tone.
- 「なら」: Emphasizes the judgment or proposal based on the condition.
The Certainty Levels of 「～と, ～たら, ～ば, ～なら」
The levels of certainty from highest to lowest (1. Most certain → 4. Least certain):

彼が来ると、嬉しいです。 (かれがくると、うれしいです。)
— “When he comes, I’m happy.”

Explanation: This sentence expresses a definite condition or habitual action. When the condition of “彼が来る (かれがくる)” is met, the result “嬉しい (うれしい)” will always occur.
● Most Certain: Used for general facts, natural laws, or conditions that always lead to the same result.

彼が来たら、嬉しいです。 (かれがきたら、うれしいです。)
— “When he comes, I’m happy.”

Explanation: This sentence indicates that “嬉しい (うれしい)” will be felt after a specific event, “彼が来た (かれがきた).” It is viewed as a specific future action, making it relatively high in certainty.
● Specific Event: Used when referring to scheduled events or situations where the person’s arrival is expected, making it more certain than 「ば」.

彼が来れば、嬉しいです。 (かれがくれば、うれしいです。)
— “If he comes, I’ll be happy.”

Explanation: This sentence expresses a hypothetical condition, meaning “If he comes, I’ll be happy.” It is uncertain whether he will come or not, focusing on the choice of whether he will come or not.
● Hypothetical: The focus is on the potential condition, making it less certain than 「たら」.

彼が来るなら、嬉しいです。 (かれがくるなら、うれしいです。)
— “If he’s coming, I’m happy.”

Explanation: This sentence represents a hypothetical scenario based on existing information or the speaker’s understanding. Whether the condition will be fulfilled is still undecided and is being considered as a possibility.
● Least Certain: Used for suggestions or expressing opinions, with low certainty and dependent on the situation.
たら vs ば:

「〜たら」 often indicates specific events or situations and can also be used as a condition, but it frequently represents temporal continuity or future events, making it slightly more certain compared to 「〜ば」. However, for native speakers, when discussing uncertain future hypotheticals, 「たら」 and 「ば」 are almost interchangeable and hold nearly the same meaning.

[Example 2.] 彼が来たら、嬉しい。 (かれがきたら、うれしいです。)
— “When he comes, I’ll be happy.”

[Example 3.] 彼が来れば、嬉しい。 (かれがくれば、うれしいです。)
— “If he comes, I’ll be happy.”

For native speakers, there is little difference between these two sentences, and they are both used frequently in the same context in everyday conversations.

However, when expressing a specific, expected action to the listener, 「たら」 is preferred over 「ば」.

Example:
Natural: 彼が来たら、連絡してください。 (かれがきたら、れんらくしてください。) — “When he comes, please contact me.”

Unnatural: 彼が来れば、連絡してください。 (かれがくれば、れんらくしてください。) — “If he comes, please contact me.”
Explanation:

This sentence assumes a specific future event, “his arrival,” as a premise. In this context, rather than focusing on the condition, the emphasis is on the sequence of actions, i.e., “When he arrives, please take the next action.”

“彼が来たら、連絡してください。 (かれがきたら、れんらくしてください。) ” suggests that his arrival is expected, and it conveys that the speaker wants to be notified once the condition is met.

However, “彼が来れば、連絡してください。 (かれがくれば、れんらくしてください。) ” suggests a lower likelihood of his arrival, focusing more on the hypothetical aspect and making his arrival seem less certain.

Example:

Correct: 彼が来たら、パーティーを始めましょう。 (かれがきたら、ぱーてぃーをはじめましょう。) — “When he comes, let’s start the party.”

Incorrect: 彼が来れば、パーティーを始めましょう。 (かれがくれば、ぱーてぃーをはじめましょう。) — “If he comes, let’s start the party.”

Explanation:

In this case, using “たら” assumes that “his arrival” is seen as a certain future event, and the speaker is setting the next action based on that. Using “ば” would imply that “his arrival” is not definite and the plan for starting the party is still uncertain.
5. 「〜んだったら」 → “If (you are) going to / If that’s the case” [Advanced Level]

(Expresses a condition based on the speaker’s judgment or suggestion, tense: present or past)

“〜んだったら” is used to express advice or suggestions based on the other person’s intentions or actions. Using the past tense (〜んだった) conveys a judgment about something that has already happened, and can include nuances of regret, reflection, or pointing out a past situation.
Example:

忙しいんだったら、無理しなくていいよ。(いそがしいんだったら、むりしなくていいよ。)
— “If you’re busy, you don’t have to push yourself.”
Explanation: The speaker acknowledges the other person’s busy schedule and offers advice based on that situation.

彼が来るんだったら、席を用意しておこう。(かれがくるんだったら、せきをよういしておこう。)
— “If he’s coming, let’s prepare a seat.”
Explanation: Based on the information that “he’s coming,” the speaker decides on the next action.

もう帰るんだったら、一緒に行きましょう。(もうかえるんだったら、いっしょにいきましょう。)
— “If you’re going home already, let’s go together.”
Explanation: The speaker proposes an idea based on the premise that the listener intends to go home.

こんなことになるんだったら、言わなきゃ良かった。(こんなことになるんだったら、いわなきゃよかった。)
— “If it was going to turn out like this, I wish I hadn’t said anything.”
Explanation: The speaker regrets their past action because of an undesired outcome.

Key Points:
This expression is used when making suggestions like “It’s better to do (something)” or “You shouldn’t do (something)” based on the other person’s circumstances. It’s particularly effective when referring to past information as a basis for judgment.
6. 「〜んなら」 → “If (you are / it is)” [Advanced Level]

(Similar to「〜んだったら」, but used in more casual contexts)

“〜んなら” is used when the speaker wants to respond quickly to the listener’s intentions or thoughts. It is more casual than “〜んだったら” and is suitable for conveying spontaneous advice or decisions during a conversation. It is most often used for present or future events.

Examples:
- 忙しいんなら、無理しなくていいよ。（いそがしいんなら、むりしなくていいよ。）
  — “If you’re busy, you don’t have to push yourself.”
  Explanation: The speaker considers the other person’s situation and suggests not to overdo it.
- 彼が来るんなら、席を用意しておこう。（かれがくるんなら、せきをよういしておこう。)
  — “If he’s coming, let’s prepare a seat.”
  Explanation: The speaker proposes getting ready, based on the premise that he will come.
- こんなことになるんなら、言わなきゃ良かった。（こんなことになるんなら、いわなきゃよかった。）
  — “If it was going to turn out like this, I wish I hadn’t said anything.”
  Explanation: The speaker expresses regret over a situation that resulted from something they said.
Key Points:
“〜んなら” is a quick response expression that matches the flow of conversation. It is useful for making light suggestions based on the other person’s actions or situation, such as “Let’s do this” or “It’s better to do this.”

Caution: Since it’s a quick response based on the speaker’s judgment, it can sometimes sound pushy or presumptive. Avoid using it with superiors or in formal situations.
- 帰るんなら、一緒に駅まで行こう。（かえるんなら、いっしょにえきまでいこう。）
  — “If you’re going home, let’s go to the station together.”
  Explanation: The speaker suggests going to the station together based on the other person’s decision to leave.
- 辞めたいんなら、辞めて良いよ。（やめたいんなら、やめていいよ。）
  — “If you want to quit, it’s okay to do so.”
  Explanation: The speaker respects the other person’s feelings and acknowledges their decision.
Summary of 「〜と, 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜なら, 〜んだったら, 〜んなら」:
- For inevitable consequences → “〜と”
  Expresses a causal relationship where B always happens when A occurs.
  e.g.
  春になると桜が咲く。(はるになるとさくらがさく。)
  — “When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.”
- For general conditions or future events → “〜たら”
  Assumes a future situation and states the resulting action.
  e.g.
  明日雨が降ったら、家にいる。(あしたあめがふったら、いえにいる。)
  — “If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.”
- To clarify conditions → “〜ば”
  Indicates a result that will happen if the condition is met. Stronger emphasis on the condition.
  e.g.
  行けば、会えますよ。(いけば、あえますよ。)
  — “If you go, you will be able to meet (them).”
- For making specific assumptions or suggestions → “〜なら”・”〜んなら”
  Used to make suggestions based on the listener’s statement. “〜んなら” is more casual and friendly.
  e.g.
  行くんなら早く準備してね。(いくんならはやくじゅんびしてね。)
  — “If you’re going, prepare quickly.”
- When assuming definite information or background → “〜んだったら”
  Based on the other person’s situation or past facts.
  e.g.
  行くんだったら、私も行くよ。(いくんだったら、わたしもいくよ。)
  — “If you’re going, I’m going too.”
Final Note:

By mastering these expressions, you can use Japanese more naturally and with subtle nuances. There are even more formal expressions for business contexts or specific situations, but this article covered the most commonly used conditional expressions in daily conversation.
03/10/2024
チャレンジする? Understanding the True Meaning in Japanese
In Japanese, you may hear チャレンジ (ちゃれんじ) a lot. The meaning is basically the same as “challenge,” but there are some differences.

チャレンジ (ちゃれんじ)

It’s often used as “try” in Japanese. So, the Japanese チャレンジ has a wider range of use than the English “challenge.” That’s why you hear it quite often. チャレンジする means to try something you usually haven’t tried before, without any other information like 「また “again”」 or 「もう一度 (もういちど) “one more time”」.

e.g.
1. 興味があるなら、チャレンジしてみたら？ (きょうみがあるなら、チャレンジしてみたら？)
  — “If you’re interested, why don’t you try?”
2. 興味があるなら、挑戦してみたら？ (きょうみがあるなら、ちょうせんしてみたら？)
  — “If you’re interested, why don’t you try?”
3. 興味があるなら、やってみたら？ (きょうみがあるなら、やってみたら？)
  — “If you’re interested, why don’t you give it a try?”
4. 興味があるなら、試してみたら？ (きょうみがあるなら、ためしてみたら？)
  — “If you’re interested, why don’t you give it a try?”
These phrases all share the same meaning and can be interchangeable in this context. However, チャレンジする and 挑戦する(ちょうせんする) are more focused on the idea of “taking the plunge and doing something” or “making up one’s mind to do something, often despite hesitation or fear.” They can be used for challenges that range from very small tasks, like ordering something new at a restaurant, to huge endeavors, like climbing Mount Everest.

e.g.
1. 僕は何度失敗しても、チャレンジ/ 挑戦　し続けます。 (ぼくはなんどしっぱいしても、　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　しつづけます。)
  — “No matter how many times I fail, I will keep challenging myself.”
2. 今日は新しいサムライバーガーに　チャレンジ/ 挑戦　してみようかなぁ。 (きょうはあたらしいさむらいばーがーに　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　してみようかなぁ。)
  — “I think I’ll try the new Samurai Burger today.”
3. 今日は新しいサムライバーガーにしてみようかなぁ。 (きょうはあたらしいさむらいばーがーにしてみようかなぁ。)
  — “I think I’ll try the new Samurai Burger today.”
4. この夏はスキューバダイビングに　チャレンジ/挑戦　してみようと思って。 (このなつはすきゅーばだいびんぐに　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　してみようとおもって。)
  — “I’m thinking of giving scuba diving a try this summer”
5. この夏はスキューバダイビングをしてみようと思って。 (このなつはすきゅーばだいびんぐをしてみようとおもって。)
  — “I’m thinking of giving scuba diving a try this summer.”
挑戦する (ちょうせんする)

The meaning of 挑戦する (ちょうせんする) is “to challenge (oneself) to do something.” It can be used for a wide range of challenges, from very small ones, like trying a new food, to huge ones, like competing in a major tournament. This term often carries a sense of taking on a difficult task or facing a challenge head-on. 挑戦する (ちょうせんする) has the same meaning as チャレンジする, but 挑戦する (ちょうせんする) gives a more formal impression, and it is more commonly used in news or formal writing.

e.g.
1. 彼女はこの夏、初めて世界大会に挑戦する。 (かのじょはこのなつ、はじめてせかいたいかいにちょうせんする。)
  — “She will challenge herself at the world competition for the first time this summer.”
2. 彼は世界記録に挑戦している。 (かれはせかいきろくにちょうせんしている。)
  — “He is challenging the world record.”
試す (ためす)

The verb 試す (ためす) means “to try” but has a nuance of “to try to see how it goes or how you like.” Unlike チャレンジする and 挑戦する(ちょうせんする), 試す(ためす) does not carry the nuance of “taking the plunge” or “making up one’s mind to do something despite hesitation or fear.” Therefore, it’s not always interchangeable with チャレンジする and 挑戦する(ちょうせんする). 試す(ためす) is often used when you want to try something out in a more casual or experimental manner, without the sense of a bold or challenging endeavor.
e.g.

Correct:

こっちのペンの方が書きやすいから試してみて。 (こっちのぺんのほうがかきやすいからためしてみて。)
— “This pen is easier to write with, so give it a try.”

Incorrect:

こっちのペンの方が書きやすいから　チャレンジ/挑戦　してみて。 (こっちのぺんのほうがかきやすいから　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　してみて。)
Explanation: This would not make sense, as using “challenge” implies a sense of overcoming a difficult task, which isn’t the case with simply trying a pen.

Correct:

ちょっと小さいのでMサイズを試しても良いですか？ (ちょっとちいさいのでえむさいずをためしてもいいですか？)
— “It’s a bit small, so can I try the M size?”

Incorect:

ちょっと小さいのでMサイズに　チャレンジ/挑戦　しても良いですか？ (ちょっとちいさいのでえむさいずに　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　してもいいですか？)
Explanation: This would imply taking on a challenge, which isn’t appropriate for just trying on a different size.

Correct:

MサイズじゃなくてSサイズに　チャレンジ/挑戦　しても良いですか？ (えむさいずじゃなくてえすさいずに　ちゃれんじ/ちょうせん　してもいいですか？)
— “Can I take on the challenge of trying the S size instead?”
Explanation: This sentence works because “challenging oneself” to try the S size implies a sense of daring or risk, like the S size might be a bit tight or unexpected.
て-form Verb + みる

The て-form verb + みる structure is often used to suggest trying something new without any sense of challenge or fear. It’s simply an attempt to experience something.

e.g.
1. 日本語で小説を読んでみたいです。 (にほんごでしょうせつをよんでみたいです。)
  — “I want to try reading a novel in Japanese.”
2. 彼に聞いてみます。 (かれにきいてみます。)
  — “I’ll try asking him.”
3. 新しいカフェに行ってみよう。 (あたらしいかふぇにいってみよう。)
  — “Let’s try going to the new café.”
4. 今夜は寿司を作ってみようと思っています。 (こんやはすしをつくってみようとおもっています。)
  — “I’m thinking of trying to make sushi tonight.”
5. 食べてみる？ (たべてみる？)
  — “Do you want to try eating it?
挑戦的な (ちょうせんてきな)

This adjective form 挑戦的な (ちょうせんてきな) means “challenging” or “defiant” and describes a person or behavior that is assertive or confrontational.

e.g.
1. 彼女はプライドが高すぎて、周りの人に対していつも挑戦的なことを言う。 (かのじょはぷらいどがたかすぎて、まわりのひとにたいしていつもちょうせんてきなことをいう。)
  — “She is too proud and always says challenging things to those around her.”
2. 彼は挑戦的な目で対戦相手を見た。 (かれはちょうせんてきなめでたいせんあいてをみた。)
  — “He looked at his opponent with a challenging gaze.”
再挑戦する (さいちょうせんする)

This term means “to challenge again” or “to make a second attempt.”

e.g.
1. 実は告白してフラれちゃったんだけど、再挑戦してみようと思ってる。 (じつはこくはくしてふられちゃったんだけど、さいちょうせんしてみようとおもってる。)
  — “Actually, I confessed and got rejected, but I’m thinking of trying again.”
2. 彼は５年ぶりにエベレストに再挑戦して、登頂することができました。 (かれはごねんぶりにえべれすとにさいちょうせんして、とうちょうすることができました。)
  — “He challenged Everest again after five years and succeeded in reaching the summit.”
3. N２に落ちてしまったんですが、冬に再挑戦するつもりです。 (えぬににおちてしまったんですが、ふゆにさいちょうせんするつもりです。)
  — “I failed the N2 exam, but I plan to challenge it again in winter.”
チャレンジ as a Title of a Challenge

チャレンジ is often used as a title or a term for specific challenges, often followed by a duration or a number.

e.g.
1. 漢字を600個覚えるために、100日チャレンジをします。 (かんじをろっぴゃっこおぼえるために、ひゃくにちちゃれんじをしています。)
  — “I’m doing a 100-day challenge to memorize 600 kanji.”
2. ダイエットのために１ヶ月チャレンジをして、２キロ痩せました。 (だいえっとのために、いっかげつちゃれんじをして、にきろやせました。)
  — “I did a one-month challenge to lose weight and lost 2 kilograms.”
3. 「サマーチャレンジ参加者募集！」 (さまーちゃれんじさんかしゃぼしゅう！)
  — “Summer Challenge Participants Wanted!”
4. 今、”毎日日本人と話すチャレンジ”してるんだ。 (いま、”まいにちにほんじんとはなすちゃれんじ “してるんだ。)
  — “I’m doing a ‘talk to a Japanese person every day’ challenge now.”
思い切って〜する (おもいきって〜する)

思い切って〜する (おもいきって〜する) means “to take the plunge and do something” or “to make up one’s mind to do something, often despite hesitation or fear.” It is often used interchangeably with チャレンジする and 挑戦する, but sentence structure will be different.

e.g.
1. 思い切ってショートにしてみたの。 (おもいきってしょーとにしてみたの。)
  — “I took the plunge and cut my hair short.”
2. 思い切って彼女をデートに誘ってみて良かったです。 (おもいきってかのじょをでーとにさそってみてよかったです。)
  — “I’m glad I took the plunge and asked her out on a date.”
3. ボーナスが入ったので、思い切って欲しかった新車を買いました。 (ぼーなすがはいったので、おもいきってほしかったしんしゃをかいました。)
  — “I got my bonus, so I took the plunge and bought the new car I wanted.”
Conclusion

In summary, チャレンジする is a versatile term in Japanese, often used more casually than the English “challenge.” It can refer to anything from small, everyday tasks to significant challenges. While チャレンジする and 挑戦する (ちょうせんする) have the same basic meaning of taking on a challenge, 挑戦する tends to have a more formal tone and is used in news or formal writing.

When comparing these with 試す (ためす) and 〜てみる, the nuances become clearer. 〜てみる is more casual and is often used to express trying something out or exploring new experiences without the sense of challenge, while 試す focuses on testing something to see how it works. Understanding these differences allows you to more accurately convey whether you’re casually trying something, testing an idea, or tackling a more serious challenge.
25/09/2024
オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます。But Why Not オーストラリアには犬がいます。
Particles in Japanese are often compared to English prepositions (e.g., in, on, at, by).
However, Japanese also has combined particles that give a more nuanced meaning.
In this article, we’ll focus on the location particles に and で.
But be careful—I’m not referring to a combination like 「にで」or 「でに」, which don’t exist.
Instead, we’ll discuss the particles 「には」「では」and 「にも」「でも」.

Difference between には and では

The difference between には and では lies mainly in the nuance of emphasis and contrast. Additionally, both particles often provide a general idea or state a fact, and are used to contrast or emphasize specific elements in the sentence. には is often used to describe what a person has or owns, giving the sentence a personal touch.

1. には:

The particle に indicates location or direction, and by adding は (a topic or contrast marker), the combined particle には emphasizes or contrasts that location or subject. It often draws attention to a specific place or person in the context of the conversation.

Examples:
1. 日本に忍者がいます。 (にほんににんじゃがいます。)
  — “There are Ninja in Japan.”
  Here, the particle に simply indicates the location (Japan). The speaker is stating a fact: Ninja exist in Japan.
2. 日本には忍者がいます。 (にほんにはにんじゃがいます。)
  — “In Japan, there are Ninja.”
  By adding は, the speaker is emphasizing or contrasting “In Japan” with other places. The sentence sounds more specific or even dramatic, depending on the context. The speaker might be implying that while other countries might not have Ninja, Japan does.
3. 彼に言わないでね。 (かれにいわないでね。)
  — “Don’t tell him.”
  The particle に indicates the direction (toward him).
4. 彼には言わないでね。 (かれにはいわないでね。)
  — “Don’t tell him (specifically).”
  Here, に + は adds contrast or emphasis. The speaker might be implying, “Don’t tell him (but maybe it’s okay to tell others).”
5. 私には夢があります。 (わたしにはゆめがあります。)
  — “I have a dream.”
  In this case, には is used to express what the speaker possesses (a dream). It emphasizes the speaker’s ownership of the dream.
6. 私には双子の兄がいます。 (わたしにはふたごのあにがいます。)
  — “I have a twin brother.”
  Here, には indicates the ownership of a twin brother, focusing on the speaker having that specific relationship.
7. 私には友達がいません。 (わたしにはともだちがいません。)
  — “I don’t have any friends.”
  Again, には is used to describe what the speaker lacks, emphasizing the fact that they have no friends.
2. では:

The particle で indicates the location of an action. By adding は, the combined particle では emphasizes or contrasts that location where the action is taking place. This often brings focus to a particular place in relation to an action happening there.

E.g.
1. 学校では英語を話しましょう。 (がっこうではえいごをはなしましょう。)
  — “Let’s speak English at school.”
  Here, では emphasizes that the action (speaking English) should happen at school, possibly contrasting it with other places.
2. 家では日本のドラマを見ます。 (いえではにほんのどらまをみます。)
  — “At home, I watch Japanese dramas.”
  This emphasizes the location home, suggesting a contrast with other places where the speaker might not watch Japanese dramas.
A Brief Review of に and で :
- に: Indicates location (without action) or direction.
- で: Indicates the location where an action takes place or the means of doing something.
With Additional Particle も

The particle も adds the nuance of also or too, emphasizing that something applies to multiple places or people.

E.g.
1. 日本にも毒ヘビがいます。 (にほんにもどくへびがいます。)
  — “There are also venomous snakes in Japan.”
  Here, にも suggests that venomous snakes can be found not only in Japan but possibly elsewhere as well.
2. 家でも日本語を勉強します。 (いえでもにほんごをべんきょうします。)
  — “I also study Japanese at home.”
  Here, でも emphasizes that the speaker studies Japanese not only in other places (like school or work) but also at home.
With Direction Particle に

The particle に indicates direction, not only location.

E.g.
1. いつか韓国にも行ってみたいです。 (いつかかんこくにもいってみたいです。)
  — “Someday, I also want to visit Korea.”
  Here, にも shows the speaker’s desire to go not only to other places, but also to Korea.
2. 映画の前に時間がありそうなので、本屋にも行きましょう。 (えいがのまえにじかんがありそうなので、ほんやにもいきましょう。)
  — “It looks like we have time before the movie, so let’s also go to the bookstore.”
  The use of にも suggests that in addition to other places they plan to visit, they will also go to the bookstore.
3. 私にも同じものをください。(わたしにもおなじものをください。)
  — “Please give me the same thing as well.”
  にも shows that the speaker is requesting the same thing that someone else has received.
4. このことは誰にも話したことがありません。(このことはだれにもはなしたことがありません。)
  — “I haven’t told this to anyone.”
  誰にも emphasizes that the speaker has not shared this information with anyone at all, stressing the totality of the statement.
With Means Particle で

The particle で is also used to indicate means (how something is done).

E.g.
1. はい、日本語でも話せますよ。 (はい、にほんごでもはなせますよ。)
  — “Yes, I can also speak in Japanese.”
  Here, でも indicates that Japanese is one of the means the speaker can use to communicate.
2. “Koala”は日本語では何と言いますか？ (「Koala」はにほんごではなんといいますか？)
  — “How do you say ‘koala’ in Japanese?”
  Here, では emphasizes in Japanese as the language of interest, contrasting with other languages.
3. “Koala”は日本語でもコアラです。 (「Koala」はにほんごでもこあらです。)
  — “‘Koala’ is also ‘koala’ in Japanese.”
  でも here indicates that the word “koala” is the same in both languages.
4. バスでも行けますか？ (ばすでもいけますか？)
  — “Can I also go by bus?”
  Here, でも emphasizes that the bus is another means of transport, possibly in addition to other options.
Why Does “オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます” Make Sense, but Not “オーストラリアには犬がいます”?

The sentence オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます 。 (おーすとらりあにはかんがるーがいます。)

ー”There are kangaroos in Australia”

uses には to emphasize the fact that kangaroos are found specifically in Australia. Kangaroos are iconic to Australia, and the sentence emphasizes this special connection.

However, if you say

オーストラリアには犬がいます。 (おーすとらりあにはいぬがいます。)

ー”There are dogs in Australia”

it sounds strange because dogs are not unique to Australia. They are common worldwide, so there is no reason to emphasize their presence in Australia. In this case, it would be more natural to simply say オーストラリアに犬がいます to state the plain fact, without any special emphasis.

That said, by adding more information and context,

オーストラリアには世界一有名な犬がいます。 (おーすとらりあにはせかいいちゆうめいないぬがいます。)

ー “There is the most famous dog in the world in Australia”

makes sense. In this case, には is used to emphasize the specificity of the famous dog, which adds significance to its presence in Australia. The sentence shifts the focus from a generic animal to a notable, unique feature, making the use of には appropriate.

Conclusion:

には is used to emphasize the presence of something in a specific location or to contrast it with other locations. It highlights a unique or notable feature, often implying that the element is specific to or special in that place. に also serves a directional function, indicating where something is headed or directed, as in “toward” or “to” a person or place.

では, on the other hand, emphasizes the location where an action takes place. It contrasts the action happening in one location with other possible locations, often focusing on where the action should or could occur. では also indicates a means to do the action.

にも and でも add the nuance of “also” or “too,” further emphasizing inclusion in a list of places or actions. They indicate that something occurs in addition to other locations or actions already mentioned, while にも can also reflect directional emphasis (e.g., wanting to go to an additional place).
24/09/2024
Nuances of もし(も)/ もしかして/ ひょっとして/ もしかすると/ひょっとすると
In Japanese, adverbs like もし and もしも are often used to express hypothetical or conditional situations, while other adverbs like もしかして, ひょっとして, もしかすると, and ひょっとすると are used to express uncertainty or speculation. Although these words may seem similar at first, they each have subtle differences in meaning and usage. Let’s break them down:
1. もし (Moshi) — “If” (Hypothetical)

もし is used to signal a hypothetical situation. It’s optional, meaning the sentence would still be grammatically correct without it. However, when you do use もし, it helps to clarify that you’re about to discuss something hypothetical. This word often pairs with structures like “たら,” “なら,” or “と” to create conditional sentences.

e.g.
- もし竜巻が起きたら、どこに逃げますか。 (もしたつまきがおきたら、どこににげますか。) — “If a tornado happens, where will you escape to?”
- もし何か分かったら、すぐに知らせてね。 (もしなにかわかったら、すぐにしらせてね。) — “If you find out anything, let me know immediately.”
Optional Use of もし

もし is not mandatory in many conditional sentences, and its omission can shift the interpretation slightly. Without もし, a sentence might be understood as either conditional (“if“) or as a statement about what will happen when the condition occurs (“when“).

e.g.
- もし雨が降ったら、家にいよう。 (もしあめがふったら、いえにいよう。) — “If it rains, let’s stay home.”
  
  Explanation: In this sentence, もし introduces a possible situation, but the key conditional structure comes from “たら.” You could say “雨が降ったら(あめがふったら)” without もし, and the meaning would still be clear.
- もし見つからなかったら、他のワインでも良い？ (もしみつからなかったら、ほかのワインでもいい？)— “If I can’t find it, is another wine okay?”
- もし道が分からなかったら連絡してください。 (もしみちがわからなかったられんらくしてください。)— “If you don’t know the way, please contact me.”
- もし遅れるなら連絡してね。 (もしおくれるなられんらくしてね。) — “If you’re going to be late, contact me.”
- もしスーパーに行くなら、卵１パック買ってきて。 (もしスーパーにいくなら、たまごひとパックかってきて。) — “If you’re going to the supermarket, buy a pack of eggs.”
- もし僕だったら、彼女とは別れてると思う。 (もしぼくだったら、かのじょとはわかれてるとおもう。) — “If it were me, I think I would have broken up with her.”
- もし空を飛べたらと思ったことない？ (もしそらをとべたらとおもったことない？) — “Haven’t you ever wished you could fly?”
- もし宝くじが当たったら、何につかう？ (もしたからくじがあたったら、なににつかう？) — “If you won the lottery, what would you use it for?”
  
  Explanation: In these examples, もし emphasizes that the following statement is conditional. However, even without もし, the conditional meaning would still come through clearly.
  
  Key Takeaway: While もし helps indicate hypothetical situations, it is optional and can be omitted without losing the overall meaning. Without it, the interpretation could lean more towards “when” rather than “if,” depending on the context. Keep in mind that Japanese often relies on grammatical markers like “たら” and “なら” to carry the core conditional meaning.
2. もしも (Moshi mo) — “If” (Emphasized Hypothetical)

The difference between もし and もしも is that もしも adds more emphasis to the hypothetical situation. It implies a stronger degree of uncertainty or introduces a scenario that may be more unlikely or dramatic.

e.g.
- もしも世界が終わったら、どうする？ (もしも せかいがおわったら、どうする？) — “What would you do if the world ended?”
  
  Explanation: Using もしも here creates a more dramatic tone, emphasizing the highly hypothetical nature of the question.
- もしも私が浮気したらどうする？ (もしも わたしがうわきしたらどうする？) — “What would you do if I cheated on you?”
- もしも一生独りだったらどうしよう。 (もしも いっしょうひとりだったらどうしよう。) — “What should I do if I end up alone for life?”
- もしもあなたが私の立場だったら、どうすると思いますか？ (もしも あなたがわたしのたちばだったら、どうするとおもいますか？) — “If you were in my position, what do you think you would do?”
- もしも好きなところに住めるなら、どこに住みたいですか？ (もしも すきなところにすめるなら、どこにすみたいですか？) — “If you could live anywhere you like, where would you want to live?”
  
  Explanation: もしも adds weight to the conditional statement, suggesting that the speaker is considering something highly unlikely, serious, or with more emotional intensity.
3. もしかして (Moshikashite) — “Could it be…?” (Possibility)

もしかして is used when you are unsure about something but want to ask or confirm if a possibility might be true. It’s often used to introduce a question when you’re speculating about something that could be the case, though you aren’t entirely sure. This expression is often used when there’s some guesswork involved, but the speaker is looking for confirmation.

e.g.
- もしかして、俳優のケンさんですか？ (もしかして、はいゆうのけんさんですか？) — “Could it be that you are the actor Ken?”
  
  Explanation: The speaker is not certain if the person in front of them is the actor, but there’s a possibility, so they use もしかして to tentatively ask.
- もしかして、知ってた？ (もしかして、しってた？) — “Did you know?”
- もしかして、知っていて言わなかったの？ (もしかして、しっていていわなかったの？) — “Did you know and not tell me?”
- もしかして、彼と付き合ってるの？ (もしかして、かれとつきあってるの？) — “Are you dating him?”
4. ひょっとして (Hyottoshite) — “By any chance…?” (Possibility)

ひょっとして is similar to もしかして but tends to imply an even weaker level of certainty or more surprise. It’s used when you’re speculating about something that might be true, but with an element of doubt or astonishment.

e.g.

ひょっとして、彼が犯人ですか？ (ひょっとして、かれがはんにんですか？) — “By any chance, is he the culprit?”

Explanation: The speaker uses ひょっとして to suggest the possibility, but with an element of doubt or surprise.

ひょっとして、彼女もパーティーに行くの？ (ひょっとして、かのじょもパーティーにいくの？) — “By any chance, is she going to the party too?”

ひょっとして、今日テストがあること忘れてたの？ (ひょっとして、きょうテストがあることわすれてたの？) — “By any chance, did you forget there’s a test today?”
5. もしかすると (Moshika suru to) — “Perhaps…” (Speculation)

もしかすると is used to express a possibility that may not be obvious or is based on personal speculation. It is often used when you want to gently express that something might be the case.

e.g.
- もしかすると、彼は今日来ないかもしれません。 (もしかすると、かれはきょうこないかもしれません。) — “Perhaps he might not come today.”
  
  Explanation: The speaker is making a guess based on personal speculation. もしかすると is used to introduce a possibility that may or may not be true, offering a softer, more tentative statement.
- もしかすると、今日は定休日かもしれません。 (もしかすると、きょうはていきゅうびかもしれません。) — “Perhaps today is their regular closing day.”
- ９月に日本を旅行するなら、もしかすると台風が来るかもしれないよ。 (くがつににほんをりょこうするなら、もしかすると たいふうがくるかもしれないよ。) — “If you travel to Japan in September, perhaps a typhoon might come.”
- もしかすると、彼女はすでに知っていたのかもしれない。 (もしかすると、かのじょはすでにしっていたのかもしれない。) — “Perhaps she already knew.”
- もしかすると、もしかするかもしれないよ。 — “Perhaps, just maybe, it could happen.”
6. ひょっとすると (Hyotto suru to) — “Perhaps…” (More tentative speculation)

ひょっとすると is similar to もしかすると, but it implies even greater uncertainty. It is used when you’re really unsure about the outcome but still want to express the possibility. By using ひょっとすると, you can express tentative speculation in a nuanced way, often hinting at surprise or unexpected outcomes.

e.g.
- ひょっとすると、彼は彼女の浮気を知っていたのかもしれない。 (ひょっとすると、かれはかのじょのうわきをしっていたのかもしれない。) — “Perhaps he knew about her affair.”
  
  Explanation: The speaker is entertaining the idea that the person might have known about the affair, though they are not entirely sure. Similarly, in the other examples, the speaker suggests possibilities that aren’t confirmed but could be true.
- ひょっとすると、彼は優勝するかもしれない。 (ひょっとすると、かれはゆうしょうするかもしれない。) — “Perhaps he might win the championship.”
- ひょっとすると、彼女はわざとスマホを置いて行ったんじゃない？ (ひょっとすると、かのじょはわざとスマホをおいていったんじゃない？) — “Perhaps she left her phone behind on purpose.”
- ひょっとすると、ひょっとするかもしれないよ。 — “Perhaps, just maybe, something might happen.”
Conclusion:

In conclusion, もし and もしも introduce hypothetical situations, while もしかして, ひょっとして, もしかすると, and ひょっとすると express varying degrees of uncertainty or speculation. Note that ひょっとして and ひょっとすると are less commonly used in conversation compared to もしかして and もしかすると, but they can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

Understanding these subtle differences will help you express hypothetical and speculative thoughts more naturally in Japanese.
11/09/2024
More Than Just ‘Good Job’: Understanding おつかれさまです
In Japanese, the expression “お疲れ様です” (おつかれさまです) is widely used in both professional and personal contexts to acknowledge someone’s hard work, effort, or simply to greet them. The phrase can be adapted into the past tense as “お疲れ様でした” (おつかれさまでした), which is used to show appreciation for work or tasks that have been completed. Understanding the meaning, usage, and variations of this phrase is key to mastering Japanese social interactions.

Breakdown of the Expression

お

A polite prefix used before nouns to show respect or politeness.

疲れ (つかれ)

This noun means “tiredness” or “fatigue,” referring to both physical and mental exhaustion.

様 (さま)

A very polite and formal way to address someone, often used in business settings or when speaking to someone of higher status.

Meaning and Usage

1. Acknowledging Tiredness After Work or Tasks

“お疲れ様です” (おつかれさまです) is often used to acknowledge someone’s hard work or effort, whether they have just completed a task, finished work for the day, or gone through an event or challenge. It’s also commonly used before leaving the office.
Example 1: At the Office
- Aさん: プレゼンの準備が出来ました。 (プレゼンのじゅんびができました。)
  — I’ve finished preparing for the presentation.
- Bさん: お疲れ様です。 (おつかれさまです。)
  — Got it.
Explanation:
This is a typical exchange in a workplace where one colleague acknowledges another’s effort after completing a task. “お疲れ様です(おつかれさまです)” is a neutral response that acknowledges the work without being overly formal.
Example 2: At the Office
- Aさん: では、お先に失礼します。お疲れ様です。 (では、おさきにしつれいします。おつかれさまです。)
  — I’ll be leaving now. Take care.
- Bさん: お疲れ様です。 (おつかれさまです。)
  — Take care.
Explanation:
This exchange happens when someone is leaving the office, acknowledging the work done throughout the day. “Take care” is a warm, neutral way to acknowledge someone’s departure.
Example 3: Retirement (At the Office)

Aさん: ３５年間、お疲れ様でした。今まで本当にありがとうございました。 (さんじゅうごねんかん、おつかれさまでした。いままでほんとうにありがとうございました。)
— Thank you for your 35 years of hard work. I’m really grateful for everything until now.

Bさん: こちらこそ、今までありがとう。これからのことはAさんに任せるよ。 (こちらこそ、いままでありがとう。これからのことは Aさんにまかせるよ。)
— Thank you as well. I’ll leave things in your hands from now on.

Example 3: Retirement (When returning home)

Wife: ３５年間、お仕事お疲れ様でした。 (さんじゅうごねんかん、おしごとおつかれさまでした。)
— Thank you for your 35 years of work.

Bさん: うん。いつも支えてくれてありがとう。 (うん。いつもささえてくれてありがとう。)
— Yeah, thank you for always supporting me.

Explanation:
This dialogue shows how “お疲れ様でした(おつかれさまでした)” is used in the context of retirement, where the past tense is appropriate for recognizing the long period of work that has been completed.
Example 4: After Childbirth

Aさん: 出産おめでとう！お疲れ様！しばらくはゆっくり休んでね。 (しゅっさんおめでとう！おつかれさま！しばらくはゆっくりやすんでね。)
— Congratulations on the birth! You did great! Make sure to rest for a while.

Bさん: ありがとう！
— Thanks!

Explanation:
In this example, “お疲れ様(おつかれさま)” is used to acknowledge the effort and endurance of someone who has just given birth. The phrase here is more personal, expressing care and concern for their well-being.
Example 5: (Exam Setting)

試験管(しけんかん): はい、終了です。答案用紙を置いて教室から出てください。お疲れ様でした。（はい、しゅうりょうです。とうあんようしをおいてきょうしつからでてください。おつかれさまでした。)
— Alright, time’s up. Please place your answer sheets on the desk and exit the classroom. Good job.

Explanation:
Here, “お疲れ様でした(おつかれさまでした)” is used by the examiner at the end of a test to acknowledge the students’ efforts during the exam. The phrase is used in the past tense because the task (the exam) is now complete.
2. Greeting in the Workplace

“お疲れ様です” (おつかれさまです) is also used as a greeting at work, often preferred over “こんにちは” (こんにちは). It can be used many times throughout the day when meeting colleagues or even friends after work.

Example 1: In the Hallway

Aさん: お疲れ様です。 (おつかれさまです。)
— Hey.
Bさん: お疲れ様です。 (おつかれさまです。)
— Hey.

Explanation:
This is a typical greeting exchange at work, acknowledging each other’s presence and ongoing effort in a neutral, friendly manner.

Example 2: In the Break Room

Aさん: お疲れ様です。 (おつかれさまです。)
— How’s it going?
B先輩(せんぱい): お疲れ。今日、雨なのにお客さんめっちゃ多いね。 (おつかれ。きょう、あめなのにおきゃくさんめっちゃおおいね。)
— Not bad. So many customers today even though it’s raining.

Explanation:
This exchange shows a senior colleague responding in a more casual tone, acknowledging the situation and continuing the conversation in a friendly manner.
Example 3: At the Izakaya

Aさん: お待たせ。お疲れ。 (おまたせ。おつかれ。)
— Sorry for the wait. How’s it going?
Bさん: おう。お疲れ。残業？ (おう。おつかれ。ざんぎょう？)
— Hey. You alright? Working late?
Aさん: 今日、会社で大きなミスして、仕事の後で部長に怒られてたんだ。 (きょう、かいしゃでおおきなミスして、しごとのあとでぶちょうにおこられてたんだ。)
— I made a big mistake at work today and got scolded by the boss afterward.
Bさん: お疲れ。誰でもミスはするさ。飲もうぜ。 (おつかれ。だれでもミスはするさ。のもうぜ。)
— That sucks. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s grab a drink.

Explanation:
- The first “お疲れ(おつかれ)” from Aさん is a casual, friendly greeting, akin to saying “How’s it going?” or “What’s up?” in English. It’s a way to acknowledge the other person’s presence and the effort they’ve likely been putting in, without being too formal.
- Bさん’s response with “おう。お疲れ” is a similar casual acknowledgment, showing concern by asking, “You alright?” This makes it a bit more personal than just a generic greeting, followed by a casual inquiry about working late. The final “お疲れ(おつかれ)” from Bさん expresses empathy, acknowledging Aさん’s tough day with a phrase that suggests, “That sucks,” or “You’ve had it rough,” before suggesting they go out for a drink to unwind.
Conclusion

Whether used as a greeting or to show appreciation for someone’s hard work, “お疲れ様です(おつかれさまです)” and its past tense form “お疲れ様でした(おつかれさまでした)” are essential phrases in Japanese culture. They convey respect and recognition for others’ efforts, helping to foster a sense of camaraderie in both professional and personal settings. Understanding these phrases will enhance your ability to navigate Japanese social situations with ease.
07/09/2024

投稿者: kanako

覚える (おぼえる) – To memorize / To remember

記憶する (きおくする) – To remember / To store in memory (formal)

暗記する (あんきする) – To memorize intentionally

覚えている (おぼえている) – To still remember / To have in memory

思い出す (おもいだす) – To recall / To remember (something forgotten)

Common Mistake:

Nuance and Usage of「まぁ」

Caution with 「まぁ」in Opinions and Feedback

Nuance and Usage of「まぁね」and 「まぁな」

Nuance and Usage of「まぁ、まぁ」

Feminine Use of 「まぁ！」(Not Related)

Nuances and Usage

Usage Note

Examples with Explanations

Caution

Performance in Dramas and Anime

Summary

Formality Level :

Grammar Patterns for 〜わけじゃない:

Example Sentences :

「そういうわけじゃない」

Breakdown of そういう:

Example :

1. 何人か (なんにんか)

[何 + counter + か] + の + [SB/STH] or[SB/STH] + の + [何 + counter + か]

Difference in Focus:

2. いくつか/ いくらか

[いくつか/ いくらか] + の + [STH] or[STH] + の + [いくつか/いくらか]

3. 数人 (すうにん)

[数 + counter] + の + [SB/STH] or [SB/STH] + の + [数 + counter]

4. 〜も いる/ある

[ 〜 SB/STH] + も + いる/ある

5. 数十人の人 (すうじゅうにんのひと)

[数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter] + の + [SB/STH] or [SB/STH] + の + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]

Omitting the Object

Other Examples : When [SB/STH] is Not the Subject

[SB/STH] + を + [何 + counter + か][SB/STH] + を + [いくつか/いくら + か][SB/STH] + を + [数 + counter ][SB/STH] + を + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]

Other Examples : When speaker is emphasizing the Number

Caution: Unnatural Combinations

1.「〜と」 → “When”

(Definite Condition; Tense: Present/Future/Past)

2.「〜たら」 → “When”

(Realizable Condition; Tense: Future/Past)

3.「〜ば」 → “If” or “When”

(Hypothetical Condition; Tense: Future)

4.「〜なら」 → “If”

(Hypothetical Condition or Suggestion; Tense: Present/Future)

Using “〜と, 〜たら, 〜ば, and 〜なら”: Tense and Context

Differences in Tense

Tips for Differentiation and Interchangeability

The Certainty Levels of 「～と, ～たら, ～ば, ～なら」

たら vs ば:

5. 「〜んだったら」 → “If (you are) going to / If that’s the case” [Advanced Level]

(Expresses a condition based on the speaker’s judgment or suggestion, tense: present or past)

6. 「〜んなら」 → “If (you are / it is)” [Advanced Level]

(Similar to「〜んだったら」, but used in more casual contexts)

Summary of 「〜と, 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜なら, 〜んだったら, 〜んなら」:

Final Note:

チャレンジ (ちゃれんじ)

挑戦する (ちょうせんする)

試す (ためす)

て-form Verb + みる

挑戦的な (ちょうせんてきな)

再挑戦する (さいちょうせんする)

チャレンジ as a Title of a Challenge

思い切って〜する (おもいきって〜する)

Conclusion

Difference between には and では

1. には:

Examples:

2. では:

A Brief Review of に and で :

With Additional Particle も

With Direction Particle に

With Means Particle で

Why Does “オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます” Make Sense, but Not “オーストラリアには犬がいます”?

Conclusion:

1. もし (Moshi) — “If” (Hypothetical)

Optional Use of もし

[何 + counter + か] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　　 or
[SB/STH] + の + [何 + counter + か]

[いくつか/ いくらか] + の + [STH]
　　　　　　 or
[STH] + の + [いくつか/いくらか]

[数 + counter] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　 or
[SB/STH] + の + [数 + counter]

4. 〜もいる/ある

[数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter] + の + [SB/STH]
　　　　　　　　　or
[SB/STH] + の + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]

Other Examples :
When [SB/STH] is Not the Subject

[SB/STH] + を + [何 + counter + か]
[SB/STH] + を + [いくつか/いくら + か]
[SB/STH] + を + [数 + counter ]
[SB/STH] + を + [数 + 十/百/千/万 + counter]